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14 December 2012Book page
Woman of the World - What are Human Rights?
Human rights define the value and worth of each person and their relationship to society. They identify standards regarding the quality of life that each of us can expect to enjoy. -
14 December 2012Book page
Woman of the World - What can you do
Raise awareness amongst your friends, family and colleagues about the importance of human rights - whether through informal discussion, or by taking a stand against inappropriate behaviour, such as sexual or racist harassment. -
14 December 2012Book page
Human rights - what do I need to know? (2008)
All Australians have human rights. Human rights are universal: they are for everyone, everywhere, everyday. Human rights are based on values such as freedom, equality and dignity and seek to protect our quality of life. -
Rights and Freedoms
18 November 2020Webpage
What human rights are at particular risk of being restricted during a pandemic?
Learn how human rights were restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic and how vulnerable people and groups were subjected to more human rights incursions. -
Commission – General
11 April 2013ProjectWhat is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights outlines fundamental rights and freedoms for all. Learn more about its impact and significance. -
Race Discrimination
15 October 2024Media ReleaseRace Discrimination Commissioner condemns neo-Nazi rally in regional NSW
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman, has condemned the neo-Nazi rally held in regional New South Wales on the weekend, warning it is further proof of the urgent need for a national strategy to combat racism. -
Rights and Freedoms
30 October 2024News story
COVID Review a good start, but human toll must be recognised
The findings of a federal review into the country’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted more needs to be done by all levels of governments to acknowledge the human cost of the pandemic response and ultimately restore public trust, says Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay. -
4 February 2015Book page
5 What does the law say about detaining children?
5.1 Mandatory detention and lawfulness 5.2 Arbitrariness 5.3 Review of detention 5.4 Shortest appropriate period of time 5.5 Decision-making in relation to children 5.6 Minimum conditions of detention 5.7 Duty of care 5.8 Findings in relation to detention law, policy and practice Both domestic and international human rights law are clear when it comes to the detention of children. The… -
Race Discrimination
31 October 2024Media Release
Dismantling systemic racism – perspectives from First Nations peoples
Governments must recognise systemic racism and its devastating impacts on Australia’s First Nations peoples and take urgent action to address it, a new report has found. Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman said, “Systemic racism, in law, policies and service delivery, has serious and ongoing consequences, including poor mental and physical health, economic disadvantage,… -
14 December 2012Book page
Woman of the World - What is the United Nations?
The United Nations (UN) is an international organisation of 188 member countries (called sovereign states or states parties). The UN was formed after the tragedy of the Second World War to promote international peace, achieve international cooperation for international problems and advance human rights. The UN, together with its programmes, funds and specialised agencies, makes up the UN system. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 July 2015Speech
What are the proper limits on the power of Parliament?
Distinguished guests, friends and colleagues - thank you for your welcome to this Law Institute of Victoria seminar. I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and pay my respects to their elders past and present. I will always have a soft spot for the Law Institute of Victoria. I was admitted to practice in 1969 after completing my articles with Williams Winter and Higgs, and… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 July 2015Speech
What are the proper limits on the power of Parliament?
Distinguished guests, friends and colleagues - thank you for your welcome to this Law Institute of Victoria seminar. I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and pay my respects to their elders past and present. I will always have a soft spot for the Law Institute of Victoria. I was admitted to practice in 1969 after completing my articles with Williams Winter and Higgs, and… -
23 January 2014Book page
4. What are the Commission’s concerns about TPVs?
The Commission raised serious concerns about TPVs when they were used in Australia (with similar conditions attached) from 1999 to 2008. [6] Based on the negative impacts of TPVs on refugees when they were last used, the Commission is concerned that the reintroduction of TPVs may lead to breaches of Australia’s international human rights obligations, for the following reasons. Mental health… -
14 December 2012Book page
Sexual Harassment (A Code in Practice) - What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual conduct which makes a person feel offended, humiliated and/or intimidated where that reaction is reasonable in the circumstances. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechAdaptable Departments - disability action plans and what makes them work
I am very pleased to be able to contribute to this Forum and would like to congratulate the co-convenors, Rhonda and Fiona, and their organisations for this initiative, which is just one part of the Disability Advisory Council's Disability Action Plan Project running throughout 2006. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Webpage
D.D.A. guide: What areas of life does the D.D.A. cover?
D.D.A. guide: What areas of life does the D.D.A. cover? The DDA makes it against the law to discriminate against someone if they have a disability in the following areas of life : Employment. For example, when someone is trying to get a job, equal pay or promotion. Education. For example, when enrolling in a school, TAFE, university or other colleges. Access to premises used by the public… -
Sex Discrimination
14 December 2012SpeechEffective access to services: What does it mean for sexual assault?
Let me also acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional land of Ngunnawal people. I pay my respects to their elders past and present, and all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have worked so committedly to eliminating sexual assault. -
14 December 2012Book page
Let's talk about rights workshop: What’s in it for Women? (2009)
Do you work in women’s services? Do you work in women’s housing? Women’s health? Violence against women? Women’s support services? Discrimination issues? -
14 December 2012Book page
Law Society Journal 2009: What will constitute a legitimate interference with rights?
A recent decision of the full Federal Court in Bropho v State of Western Australia[1] has created the opportunity to reconsider the operation of s 10 of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). Section 10(1) of the RDA is unique in discrimination law around the country. It is concerned with the operation and effect of laws rather than with making the actions of individuals unlawful. -
Commission – General
9 October 2024E-bulletin (Monthly)
October 2024: Commission News | President's message
Dear friends, Australia is one of the safest, most stable and prosperous countries on the planet. For most of us, most of the time, it is a great place to live. For many Australians, human rights violations are things that happen to other people in other places, often overseas. This can lead to complacency about our own rights protection and the importance of protecting the rights of those…