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Disability Rights26 September 2023Media Release
Commissioners ‘appalled’ following Four Corners episode on abusive disability ‘therapy’
Two of Australia’s human rights leaders have expressed grave concerns in the wake of shocking videos broadcast on ABC’s Four Corners program, which showed children with intellectual disabilities being repeatedly restrained as part of a radical treatment funded by the NDIS. The episode highlighted the controversial and abusive practices at Irabina Autism Services in Melbourne, between 2019-2021 ... -
Sex Discrimination9 June 2023Media Release
Commission welcomes passage of new ACT intersex laws
New legislation protecting the rights of people in the Australian Capital Territory who have variations in sex characteristics (VSC) has been welcomed by the Commission. Yesterday the ACT Parliament passed the Variation in Sex Characteristics (Restricted Medical Treatment) Bill 2023 establishes legal protections and processes to support people with VSC to make their own decisions about permanent ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice18 March 2020Media Release
We say: No more preventable deaths
The Close the Gap Campaign has warned that only systemic reform will make up for the harrowing failure of the last 12 years of government policy on closing the gaps in health equity, social and economic disadvantage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 2020 Close the Gap Campaign report, again written by the Lowitja Institute and released today, sets out a blueprint for change ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice30 March 2023Media Release
Deadline extended for no-cost applications to attend landmark First Nations women’s summit
The deadline for sponsored delegate applications for the Wiyi Yani U Thangani National Summit has been extended to Sunday 2 April 2023. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice8 May 2019Media Release
Our Choices, Our Voices: Celebrating Success on National Close the Gap Day
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO and the Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples Rod Little, will today release the 2019 Close the Gap report – “Our Choices, Our Voices”. The report, prepared by the Lowitja Institute, is being released at a community event at Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation – Aboriginal Medical Service South ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice14 March 2020Media Release
Failure to close the gap puts Indigenous communities at increased risk
The Close the Gap Campaign is cancelling its public events to mark Close the Gap Day on Thursday 19 March 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to endure higher levels of illness and higher levels of comorbidity. We have three times the rate of preventable admissions to hospital, overcrowded housing and a lack of access to basic health services ... -
Race Discrimination7 November 2022Media Release
Attorney-General commits Government to anti-racism strategy in Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture
“Australia’s continued success as a multicultural nation must include an ongoing commitment to addressing racism,” the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice30 March 2023Media Release
Commission Welcomes Constitutional Alteration Bill
View a statement by Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. -
Commission – General6 March 2024Media Release
The escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and addressing the impacts in our communities
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, delivered a powerful statement last week raising the urgency of the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “The war in Gaza must end. Clear violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws, including war crimes and possibly other crimes under international law, have been committed by all parties. It is time – well past time – ... -
Legal22 March 2024Media Release
Commission welcomes ALRC report on religious schools and anti-discrimination laws
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the tabling of the report by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) on Religious Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws. The ALRC’s recommendations would ensure that students and teachers are protected from discrimination on the basis of their sexuality, gender identity, marital or relationship status, or pregnancy – regardless of ... -
Race Discrimination10 March 2023Media Release
Commissioner calls for coordinated response to address spectator racism
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan said the reported racial abuse directed at NRL player Latrell Mitchell demonstrates the need for professional sports organisations, including clubs and codes, to work together to address spectator racism. -
Children's Rights16 November 2021Media Release
Proposal to raise the age does not go far enough
All 16 of Australia’s children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates say a commitment by state attorneys-general to develop a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 does not go far enough. In a joint statement, Australian children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates said: “We are pleased that some jurisdictions have for the first time indicated they will look at raising ... -
Commission – General1 August 2022Media Release
Commission urges passage of new Bill to strengthen integrity
The Australian Human Rights Commission is urging all federal parliamentarians to support the passage of the new Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment (Selection and Appointment) Bill 2022. Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, has welcomed the introduction to Parliament of the new Bill by Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, last week. The Bill ... -
Race Discrimination13 February 2019Media Release
Reconciliation Australia Barometer shows steady progress, but still work to do
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO and the Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan have welcomed today’s release of the Reconciliation Barometer. The survey conducted every two years since 2008, measures the progress of reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians. Among the key findings; 79% ... -
Sex Discrimination6 July 2023Media Release
Commission welcomes new Sex Discrimination Commissioner
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the appointment of Professor Anna Cody to the role of Sex Discrimination Commissioner. “On behalf of Commissioners and staff, I warmly welcome Professor Cody to the Commission. She has a distinguished career as an academic, as a lawyer specialising in discrimination and as a passionate advocate for human rights,” said Commission President, Emeritus ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice11 May 2023Media Release
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to ‘design’ their future with new national approach to First Nations gender justice
Bold new approaches from First Nations Australian women for improving their future have been unveiled at a historic summit in Canberra, including a new National Framework for Action and a new dedicated First Nations Gender Justice Institute at the Australian National University. The new measures have been highlighted at the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) National Summit , Australia’s most ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice15 March 2023Media Release
Commission opens registrations for landmark summit of First Nations women
This historic event is set to inform a range of new approaches for advancing the rights, health, safety, wellbeing and economic opportunities of First Nations women and girls. -
Race Discrimination4 March 2024Media Release
Giridharan Sivaraman commences as Race Discrimination Commissioner
Australia’s new Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman, said a united approach to anti-racism was essential if our society is to better address and ultimately dismantle systemic racial discrimination in all its forms. Commissioner Sivaraman, who commenced in the role today, said his immediate priority will be to progress a National Anti-Racism Framework as a central reference point ... -
Rights and Freedoms17 January 2019Media Release
Religious Freedom announcement
The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) welcomes the release of the Religious Freedom Review. The Commission looks forward to assessing any legislative proposals when they are released in order to ensure that they appropriately balance human rights. “It is critical that any new laws do not create new forms of discrimination.” “Australia must protect the rights of all people, including those ... -
Children's Rights4 August 2022Media Release
National day spotlights culture and rights of First Nations children
Celebrating and showcasing the lives of First Nations children is the focus of today’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. With the theme this year of ‘My Dreaming, My Future’, the day also provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on how Australians can work together to improve a range of health, social and human rights outcomes for young First Nations people ...