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Rights and Freedoms13 May 2022Speech
Whither human rights and freedoms protections in Australia?
As I reflect on the past two years, it is clear that the pandemic has brought a renewed national focus on the importance of centralising considering rights and freedoms during times of crisis — a greater ‘rights consciousness’. -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2009: Chapter 2
Despite the High Court’s landmark decision, Australian courts, governments and non-Indigenous people have struggled to accept fully the rights of Indigenous peoples to their lands, waters and territories. In successive court decisions, our cultures have been viewed through a non-Indigenous lens, with our rights separated and eliminated one by one. -
14 December 2012Book page
Commission Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
Letter to Mr Philip Ruddock MP 31/01/2002 Letter to Mr Philip Ruddock MP 22/02/2002 Letter to Mr Philip Ruddock MP 21/03/2002 Letter to Mr Philip Ruddock MP 03/04/2002 Letter to Mr Philip Ruddock MP 29/04/2002 Letter to Mr Philip Ruddock MP 06/05/2002 Letter to Mr Philip Ruddock MP 09/06/2002 -
14 December 2012Book page
Annual Report 2008-2009: Chapter 1
The objective of the Commission’s new strategic plan is to build on the Commission’s strengths so that it is in a better position to help build an Australian culture where human rights are understood, respected and enjoyed by ‘everyone, everywhere, everyday’. -
Rights and Freedoms16 August 2017Media Release
Proposed modern slavery legislation ‘a good first step’
Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow has welcomed a Federal Government proposal to legislate against modern slavery. Commissioner Santow said Government plans to require large businesses to report annually on their actions to address modern slavery are “a good first step”. “Further action will also be needed to ensure that we fully address the problem of modern slavery,” Commissioner Santow ... -
Children's Rights13 June 2018Media Release
Commissioner welcomes Government response to Royal Commission
National Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell welcomes the Federal Government’s commitment to a national apology to survivors of abuse, and the creation of a national office for child safety. The Government has today accepted or accepted in principle 104 of 122 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, with 18 recommendations still being ... -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Speech
Mental Health Council of Australia Annual Board Dinner
I also acknowledge Keith Wilson, President of the Mental Health Council of Australia; Chief Executive Officer Dr Grace Groom; and others here who have profound knowledge of mental health issues as family members and carers, as professionals, and as people directly affected by mental illness. -
Race Discrimination10 April 2018Media Release
Australian leadership falls short on cultural diversity
Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane has revisited his Leading for Change (2016) report and found a persistent lack of cultural diversity among leaders in business, politics, government and universities. On 11 April 2018, the Commissioner launches new research that establishes Anglo-Celtic Australians and those of European background continue to dominate the ranks of Australian ... -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Speech
Speech - iPhone or Trombone: Age or Disability Don't Have to be Barriers (2012)
Alan used to work as a civil engineer, and is a trombone player with two orchestras and two bands. He has competed in the Australian Band Championships for the last three years. He sold his soils laboratory to 'retire', and has never looked back. He still works part-time in soil testing, but as well as trombone playing he is a volunteer in a Rotary shop, walks 30-40 kilometers weekly, won a silver medal in the 10 km Road Race in the Australian Masters Games 2012, and completed a novel for pre-teens called 'Alex', designed to raise awareness about healthy lifestyles. -
Rights and Freedoms28 July 2021News story
Farewell to Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow
This week, staff at the Australian Human Rights Commission gathered virtually to farewell our colleague Edward Santow, who has finished his five-year term as Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner. While we had looked forward to celebrating Ed’s significant achievements together in person, due to current COVID-19 circumstances these celebrations have been postponed to a later date. Ed was appointed ... -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2007 - Chapter 3: The Northern Territory 'Emergency Response' intervention
On 21 June 2007, the Australian Government announced a ‘national emergency response to protect Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory’ from sexual abuse and family violence.[1] This has become known as the ‘NT intervention’ or the ‘Emergency Response’. The catalyst for the measures was the release of Report of the Northern Territory Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse, titled Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Mekarle: ‘Little Children are Sacred’. -
Legal17 January 2019Speech
‘Vulnerability and the Law’ - UNSW
University of New South Wales Law Journal Launch of Thematic Issue on ‘Vulnerability and the Law’ Vol 41(3) 2018 27 September 2018 * Check against delivery Acknowledgements I pay my respects to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and to their elders past and present—as well as to emerging leaders. Thank you to Lachlan Peake and Veronica Sebesfi for the invitation to speak tonight. Can I also ... -
14 December 2012Book page
HREOC - Annual Report 2001 - 2002: Statement from the President
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission occupies a unique place in Australian society. It sits independent of Government, yet it is not what is traditionally known as a non-government organisation (NGO) or an advocate. -
Rights and Freedoms12 November 2015Speech
Introduction of the Religious Freedom Roundtable
Thank you. Thank you to the Attorney-General for his presence this morning. I know he has to run because he has commitments in Canberra, but I greatly appreciate his efforts to come this morning to support the discussions we are about to have. I’d also like to thank the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Professor Gillian Triggs, who will be present for part of this morning as an observer. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2006: Information Sheet 3: Indigenous participation in decision making
When it comes to ‘good policy’ in Indigenous affairs, a core requirement is the effective participation of Indigenous peoples in all decisions that impact on their lives. In practice, this means governments have a responsibility to actively involve Indigenous peoples in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies that affect them, and to make the necessary changes to avoid or address any adverse impacts. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
The adequacy of the allowance payment system for jobseekers and others, the appropriateness of the allowance payment system as a support into work and the impact of the changing nature of the labour market
Recommendation 1: The Newstart Allowances and supplements should be increased so that they accurately reflect the costs of living, job-seeking and skill development activity. -
Sex Discrimination14 December 2012Speech
Launch of Good Practice, Good Business (2004)
Firstly, I would like to pass on apologies from the President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, The Hon. John von Doussa QC, who is presently interstate and unable to be here today. It goes without saying that he entirely endorses the purpose of this project and believes there should be more of it. -
Race Discrimination16 March 2021Publication
Developing a National Anti-Racism Framework (2021)
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner, Chin Tan has announced plans to develop a National Anti-Racism Framework and is calling on the Federal Government to support the framework, fully resource it and implement it. The Commission also aims to work in partnership with all sectors of Australian society because dismantling racism is a joint responsibility and will require a coordinated effort ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice8 September 2023Speech
CEW Leadership Summit
Introduction in language Hello everyone. I acknowledge the traditional custodians of Naarm, all the Countries of the Kulin Nations, and I pay my respects to Elder’s past, present and emerging. I recognise our First Women, our mothers, sisters, aunties, and daughters who have cared for our communities, shared knowledge and culture, and nurture future generations through women’s ways of knowing ... -
15 April 2014Book page
Part one: Close the gap – A shared national priority
(a) How did we get here? It is not credible to suggest that one of the wealthiest nations in the world cannot solve a health crisis affecting less than 3% of its citizens. Dr Tom Calma AO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, 2005 [10] In 2008, the United Nations Human Development Index ranked Australia the third most developed nation in the world. Then, as now, we ...