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Federal human rights and anti-discrimination law provides for the Commission to investigate and resolve complaints of alleged discrimination and breaches of human rights. The Commission’s complaint work is central to its role in protecting and promoting human rights and complements the Commission’s policy and education functions. The Commission’s complaint process provides an…

The Commission has a function of intervening, with the leave of the Court, in proceedings that involve issues of human rights, equal opportunity in employment and age, race, sex, marital status, pregnancy and disability discrimination.

The Commission’s policy work on issues of human rights and disability has involved sustained focus, and engagement with government, disability community experts and representatives, and industry bodies over many years, and particularly since the passage of the Disability Discrimination Act in 1992.

2008-09 has been a year of positive developments in the human rights area. While many human rights challenges lie ahead, as Human Rights Commissioner, I have been excited by the progress that Australia has made in human rights, both domestically and internationally during the year.

This report covers my final year as the Race Discrimination Commissioner, a position I have occupied for five years alongside my position as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.

This year marked the end of my nationwide Listening Tour and the beginning of what has been a busy but rewarding time in my term as Commissioner. I am delighted to report that it has been an exciting year for progressing gender and age equality in Australia. The Listening Tour played an important role in setting the agenda for my term. In deciding where the Commission should focus its efforts, I…

The International Labour Organization Convention 111 deals with discrimination in employment and occupation. Australian adherence to this Convention provides that all people have the right to equal treatment in employment and occupation without discrimination on the basis of:

Annual Report 2008 - 2009 Appendix 2: Commission publications released during 2008-09 Back to Contents General About Us: Australian Human Rights Commission brochure (updated 2009) Australian Human Rights Commission Annual Report 2007-08 (tabled report 2008) 2008 Human Rights Medals and Awards brochure (2008) Strategic Plan 2008-2011 (2008) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice…

The Commission frequently receives international visitors and participates in meetings with individuals and representatives of organisations concerned with human rights.

During 2008-09, the Commission received 13 initial requests for access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act. The Commission was also asked to conduct an internal review of one of those decisions.

* When complainants under the Age, Racial, Sex and Disability Discrimination Acts are terminated, the complainant may apply to have the allegations heard and determined by the Federal Court of Australia or the Federal Magistrates Court.

The Commission reviews staff performance annually through its Performance Management Scheme. The Scheme provides an opportunity to set goals and priorities in line with our Strategic Plan and to assess the level of individual performance and contribution to Unit outcomes. The Scheme also provides an opportunity to identify and address learning and development needs and to plan effectively for the…

Annual Report 2008 - 2009 Glossary Back to Contents [ A | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | W | Y ] A ADEC Action on Disabilities in Ethnic Communities AGIMO Australian Government Information Management Office AIATSIS Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies ALP Australian Labor Party APF Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

On 14 and 15 February 2008, HREOC held a planning summit at Jones Bay Wharf, Pyrmont Point in Sydney, entitled HREOC21. The 21 refers to the number of years that have passed since HREOC was established by an act of federal Parliament in 1986.

A central function of HREOC is to undertake education programs that increase public awareness and generate discussion of human rights and anti-discrimination issues within Australia. HREOC’s legislative responsibilities are:

HREOC plays a significant role in monitoring legislation and policy in Australia to assess compliance with human rights principles. This monitoring role includes:

The President of HREOC is responsible for the investigation and conciliation of complaints lodged under federal anti-discrimination and human rights law. Staff of HREOC’s Complaint Handling Section (CHS) assist the President to investigate and resolve complaints. The CHS also provides information to the public about the law and the complaint process through the Complaint Information Service…

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act gives HREOC the function of inquiring into complaints concerning breaches of human rights by the Commonwealth (or persons/organisations acting on behalf of the Commonwealth) and discrimination in employment.

The past year has delivered some significant and promising new developments in indigenous affairs. the national apology to the stolen generations and the government’s commitment to the Statement of Intent to Close the Gap in health inequality both demonstrate a growing determination to face the challenges that confront Indigenous australians. i am pleased to say that hreoC has had a part in…