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Rights and Freedoms18 March 2022Opinion piece
What is happening in Ukraine should matter to every Australian
OPINION There is almost 13,000km between Australia and Ukraine. It is literally on the other side of the world. Given the vast distances that separate us, it would be easy to claim that what happens there has nothing to do with us. That Australia should focus instead on the many challenges we face at home and leave the rest of the world to deal with their own problems. That would be a grave ... -
Children's Rights29 March 2021News story
Now is the moment to listen to young people
By National Children's Commissioner, Anne Hollonds. For the last few weeks, Australia has been having a “moment” as our attention has been concentrated on an endless series of revelations of sexual assault and harassment in workplaces up and down the land, but also, very worryingly, in our schools. The recent online petition posted by former Sydney student Chanel Contos has prompted a national ... -
Rights and Freedoms28 September 2023Opinion piece
COVID-19 Inquiry a missed opportunity
Read the Human Rights Commissioner, Ms Lorraine Finlay's op-ed about the terms of reference for the inquiry in Australia's pandemic response. Understanding the full human cost of the pandemic is vital for ensuring a more effective response for future public emergencies. -
Disability Rights29 May 2023Speech
Consumer protection: Why diversity and inclusion matters
Disability Discrimination Commissioner Dr Ben Gauntlett's keynote speech at the ACCC International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) Conference Dinner in 2023. -
Disability Rights23 July 2021Project
Accessible Housing Project
One of Commissioner Gauntlett’s term goals is to increase access to accessible housing for people with disability. -
Children's Rights8 April 2020News story
Protecting children from impacts of Coronavirus
The disruptions caused by COVID-19 have the potential to affect children profoundly, particularly children who are already at risk of being marginalised. This includes children in families who are experiencing poverty, are homeless or are experiencing family and domestic violence. They will need financial and other support to help them manage the effects of COVID-19 and the restrictions that have ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice1 June 2021Speech
AIATSIS Summit Keynote Address: Truth for change—Reckoning with our past and transforming our nation
Introduction and acknowledgements Opening in Bunuba. Good morning everyone. I acknowledge the Kaurna peoples whose lands we gather on for this conference—I pay my respects to your elders, past, present and emerging. I also acknowledge all our peoples who have come from countries—First Nations—from across this vast continent, carrying many diverse and interconnected languages, cultural practices ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice27 January 2021Opinion piece
Can January 26 ever be the day that all Australians unite and rejoice in our sense of collective belonging?
OPINION: I want to celebrate being Australian and I want to celebrate our remarkable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander civilisation. But every year I brace myself for the 26th knowing that it is not the day we can do this. -
Disability Rights1 October 2020Speech
National Disability Strategy Future Forum: Beyond 2020
The Australian Human Rights Commission and the Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health National Disability Strategy: Beyond 2020 webinar September 24, 2020 Ben Gauntlett, Disability Discrimination Commissioner Introductory Address Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests; Good disability policy benefits all Australians, now and in the future. On behalf of the Centre of Research ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice28 May 2020Opinion piece
Learning from crisis
Six weeks ago I returned to my traditional homeland near Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia. Thanks to modern technology, I am working remotely and continuing my duties as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. Like many Aboriginal people, I chose to return to Country because COVID-19 travel restrictions made homeland communities the safest place to see out the ... -
14 December 2012Book page
Ending family violence and abuse in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – Key issues (2006)
Family violence and abuse is causing untold damage to the cultures and fabric of Indigenous societies. It is damaging our communities, our families, our women, our children and our men. All Indigenous people are entitled to live their lives in safety and full human dignity - without fear of intimidation, family violence or abuse. This is their cultural and their human right. Like all Australians, Indigenous peoples are also entitled to the full and equal protection of the law. -
Children's Rights5 August 2021News story
Keeping kids safe and well: National Children's Commissioner consulting with children, young people and their families
The National Children’s Commissioner, in collaboration with the Department of Social Services, has been consulting with children, young people, and families on how to keep children safe and healthy in their homes and in their communities. Keeping kids safe and well - your voices is a national consultation project which will inform the first five-year implementation plan to the National Framework ... -
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 ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice8 April 2020News story
Failure to close the gap in healthcare puts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at increased risk
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have higher levels of pre-existing illness than other population groups due to relative social and economic disadvantage, which means they are susceptible to more severe impacts from COVID-19. It’s important at this time that we listen to the health experts, such as the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), follow their ... -
Children's Rights12 July 2019Speech
Children’s right to safety and a holistic education
Good morning, everyone and thank you for inviting me to be here today to talk to you about the importance of children’s rights. I’d like to begin by also acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, and paying my respects to elders past, present and emerging. I’d also like to acknowledge any Indigenous guests who are present with us today. I’m going to start by telling you a little about my ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice27 May 2024Media Release
Social Justice Commissioner: now more than ever, Australia must reconcile with its First Nations people
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss, has marked the start of Reconciliation Week by calling on Australians to finally overcome generations of disadvantage and division when it comes to First Nations rights, and forge a path for unity. The Commissioner warned that systemic failures facing Indigenous communities in all sectors of society including health ... -
Rights and Freedoms29 May 2024Opinion piece
In silence, anti-Semitism and racism flourishes
This opinion piece by Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay appeared in The Nightly on Wednesday 27 March 2024. The foundation of universal human rights lies in recognising the inherent dignity and equal rights of every single human being. Human rights can’t be applied selectively. Every Australian, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or any other distinction, has the right ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice9 July 2019Speech
Intervention on Climate Change Impacts in the Torres Strait
I am Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. I make this statement on behalf of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Australia’s ‘A status’ NHRI.’ I want to acknowledge the OHCHR for its report and for highlighting some of the adverse effects of climate change on Indigenous women. I would also like to acknowledge the Australian Government for supporting my ... -
Children's Rights10 July 2024Media Release
Ineffective approaches to child justice creating more problems than they solve
The policies being promoted in the Queensland election campaign to address offending by children have been criticised by National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss as a “race to the bottom”.