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Rights and Freedoms
10 April 2013PublicationHomelessness is a Human Rights Issue
This paper explores the many ways that homelessness impacts on a person’s ability to enjoy basic rights and freedoms. It shows that homelessness is more than just a housing issue. Homelessness is about human rights. Homeless people are not merely objects of charity, seeking help and compassion – like all Australians, they are individuals entitled to the protection and promotion of their human rights. Since human rights belong to everyone, it is in the interests of the Australian community as a whole to ensure that the rights of homeless people are respected and protected. -
11 April 2013Project
CERD
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination 1966 (CERD) (the Convention) was one of the first human rights treaties to be adopted by the United Nations. More than 156 countries (four-fifths of the membership of the UN) have ratified the Convention; including Australia, which ratified the Convention on 30 September 1975. -
11 April 2013Webpage
Notice for exemption: Shane Radburn (2013)
Notice for exemption: Shane Radburn The Australian Human Rights Commission has received an application from Mr Shane Radburn who runs a bus service under contract with Transport NSW. Mr Radburn seeks an exemption under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards). Application Mr Radburn operates two bus ... -
Rights and Freedoms
11 April 2013Project
Right to vote
The right to vote is not enjoyed equally by all Australians A healthy democracy makes sure that all members of the community have equal access to the political process. Australia is a democratic nation where governments are elected by popular vote. However, even though almost all Australians over 18 years old have the right – and the obligation – to vote, not all Australians enjoy that right as a ... -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
11 April 2013PublicationHuman Rights standards for immigration detention
This publication, Human rights standards for immigration detention, sets out benchmarks for the humane treatment of people held in immigration detention -
Disability Rights
12 April 2013SpeechLaunch of Accessible events -- a guide for organisers (2006)
Launch of Accessible events -- a guide for organisers Gold Coast Convention Centre 27 April 2006 Graeme Innes Human Rights Commissioner and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Acknowledgements Annabel Davis, President of MEA Suzie Jones, Chair of the Conference organising Committee Linda Gaunt CEO of MEA MEA members Ladies and Gentlemen Introduction Allow me to begin by acknowledging the ... -
Race Discrimination
14 December 2012PublicationGuide to the Racial Hatred Act
The Racial Hatred Act, introduced in October 1995, extends the coverage of the RDA so that people can complain to the Australian Human Rights Commission about racially offensive or abusive behaviour. It aims to strike a balance between two valued rights: the right to communicate freely and the right to live free from vilification. -
Commission – General
12 April 2013Opinion pieceTime for rethink on asylum seeker treatment
I am gravely concerned that Australia's practices in relation to asylum seekers risk serious breaches of fundamental rights and freedoms under the human rights treaties by which Australia is bound. -
Sex Discrimination
16 April 2013Project
Ensuring women's lifetime economic security
The gender gap in retirement savings There is a large gap between the superannuation savings of Australian men and women. Because the current superannuation system is linked to paid work, it overwhelmingly disadvantages women who are more likely to move in and out of paid work to care for family members. Women continue to earn less than men and are more likely to be engaged in casual and part-time ... -
14 December 2012Book page
2011 Freedom of religion and belief in 21st century Australia
2011 Freedom of religion and belief in 21st century Australia A research report prepared for the Australian Human Rights Commission By Professor Gary Bouma, Professor Desmond Cahill, Dr Hass Dellal, and Athalia Zwartz Download Report in Word [1.38 MB] Download Report in PDF [1.80 MB] For supplementary papers and other material from this project see the main project index page ... -
Sex Discrimination
16 April 2013Project
Investing in care: Recognising and valuing those who care
There are nearly 5.5 million unpaid carers between the ages of 15 to 64 years in Australia -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
17 April 2013Publication
Tell Me About: Bridging Visas for Asylum Seekers
1. What are bridging visas? Bridging visas are temporary visas which allow people to legally reside in the Australian community while they are applying for a longer term visa, appealing a decision relating to their visa, or making arrangements to leave Australia. Bridging visas can be granted to different groups of people, including asylum seekers who are seeking protection as refugees in Australia. Following health, identity and security checks... -
Children's Rights
18 April 2013SpeechWalking the talk: Towards authentic child voice
It’s fantastic to be amongst so many people committed to the wellbeing of Australia’s children. I’m thrilled to have been invited today by Prue Warrilow, Brian Babington and Families Australia and feel honoured to deliver the Berry Street Childhood Institute Families Australia Oration as my first speaking engagement as inaugural National Children’s Commissioner. -
Disability Rights
18 August 2015Publication
Reflections - first 5 years of the Disability Discrimination Act
As I reach the end of my appointment as the first Disability Discrimination Commissioner, and in the light of proposed structural and funding changes to the Commission, I am drawn to reflect upon the theory and practice, challenges and developments, lessons and achievements, of the first five years of operation of the Disability Discrimination Act, and to look towards directions for the next five years. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Webpage
Working paper for e-commerce reference: web accessibility
Because the digital economy by definition requires a dynamic Internet environment, the very functionality required by the disability community can satisfy this dynamic requirement for web-based transactions. Accessible web design enables dynamic web sites- whether or not it is for business transactions, voting or long-distance learning. In addition, many benefits are emerging in the application of accessible web design. Accessible web design enables CD and videotapes to be archived through captioning. Accessible web design also enables electronic textbooks to be accessible. -
Disability Rights
29 June 2015Publication
Inquiry into Human rights of People with Mental Illness report
The Report of the National Inquiry into the Human Rights of People with Mental Illness was tabled in Parliament and publicly released on 20 October 1993 and found that people affected by mental illness are among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community and that they suffer from widespread systemic discrimination -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Webpage
DDA conciliation: Goods, services and facilities
A woman who uses a wheelchair complained that when she took her 11 year old nephew to a museum as part of an interstate family holiday, he was denied access to important parts of the collection on the basis of her disability. Children under 12 were required to be accompanied by an adult; access to some of the exhibits was not feasible for the complainant because of her disability; and the respondent had declined a request to permit the boy to be accompanied by a museum staff member instead. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Project
Education and disability
Explore the Commission's entry point on resources regarding equal access and opportunity to education for people with disabilities. -
14 December 2012Book page
Guidelines for writing and publishing recruitment advertisements
The federal Sex Discrimination Act applies throughout Australia and contains some provisions that are different to state and territory sex discrimination laws. People and organisations exempt under state and territory laws (such as small businesses) are not necessarily exempt under the federal Sex Discrimination Act. It is not enough to simply comply with state or territory anti-discrimination laws. You must also meet your obligations under the federal Sex Discrimination Act. -
Age Discrimination
13 June 2024Media ReleaseAge Discrimination Commissioner: Australia has a long way to go to end elder abuse
Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM has warned the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is likely to lead to an increased risk of elder abuse with Australia needing to further bolster its efforts to address the nationwide problem. Elder abuse is when harm is done to an older person by someone they know and trust, often a family member. It can take many forms, including neglect, financial ...