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Rights and Freedoms16 July 2019Media Release
Urgent call for Federal Government to protect 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers at risk in the community
The Australian Human Rights Commission calls on the Australian Government to make urgent changes to improve protections for approximately 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers living in the Australian community. A new report released today, Lives on hold: Refugees and asylum seekers in the ‘Legacy Caseload’ , reveals the human rights situation for approximately 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice7 June 2019Media Release
Let’s talk racism: A conversation guide
The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched a conversation guide about racism, to coincide with the world premiere of The Final Quarter documentary about AFL legend and former Australian of the Year Adam Goodes. Let’s talk race: A guide on how to conduct conversations about racism has been designed to complement the powerful documentary about the treatment of Adam Goodes in the final three ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice17 January 2019Media Release
Time to act on constitutional recognition
The current and former Social Justice Commissioners have called for political leadership to ensure the recommendations of the Joint Select Committee on constitutional recognition are realised. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO and former commissioners Mick Gooda, Professor Tom Calma AO, Dr William Jonas AM and Emeritus Professor Mick Dodson AM ... -
Race Discrimination6 December 2022Media Release
New report lays foundations for Australia’s first National Anti-Racism Framework
The report identifies data collection and education on racism, and cultural safety as key themes. It also identifies media regulation, standards, and legal protections as priority areas for action. -
Children's Rights25 February 2021Speech
Towards a National Child Wellbeing Strategy
Speech by National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds to the Parliamentary Friends of Early Childhood Thanks for this opportunity to share some reflections on my vision for early childhood policy. I would first like to acknowledge the traditional owners – Ngunnawal and Ngambri people – and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. My observations this morning will draw on a ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice13 February 2019Media Release
Kimberley Suicide report must be turning point for action
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO says the report into the deaths of 13 Aboriginal children and young people must be the turning point for action. The West Australian Coroner Ros Fogliani has today handed down her report into the suicides in the Kimberley region between November 12 and March 2016. Commissioner Oscar said unlike the many previous ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice13 September 2022Media Release
First Nations women to take leading role in addressing family and community violence
An important gathering of First Nations women – including specialist experts, researchers, frontline workers and women with lived experience of violence – has called on governments across Australia to ensure First Nations women lead all future efforts to prevent violence against First Nations women and children. On Monday the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Women’s Safety Policy Forum was held online, with ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice10 May 2023Media Release
First Nations women respond to Banksia Hill riots with call for immediate reform to youth justice
First Nations female leaders from across Australia are demanding immediate reform to Western Australia’s approach to youth justice in the wake of today’s riots at the Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre. Hundreds of First Nations women are attending the Wiyi Yani U Thangani National Summit in Canberra this week, including Commissioner for Children and Young People WA Jacqueline McGowan–Jones ... -
Rights and Freedoms8 October 2019Speech
UN Human Rights Commissioner speaks out
Australian Human Rights Commission conference Free and Equal: An Australian Conversation on Human Rights Statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 8 October 2019 President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Rosalind Croucher and fellow Commissioners Mr Les Malezer, Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Members of Parliament and ... -
Rights and Freedoms30 May 2024Media Release
Government must seize the moment for a National Human Rights Act
A new parliamentary report recommending a National Human Rights Act as part of a revitalised Human Rights Framework brings Australia closer than ever before to establishing the basic legal protections that Australians need. The report, tabled in Federal Parliament today, includes an example of legislation for a National Human Rights Act, building on decades of work and reinforcing recommendations ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice26 June 2019Speech
‘Hear Us, See Us’ Photo Exhibition Launch
Welcome and Acknowledgements Jalangurru lanygu balangarri. Ngayininyanyjili Bunuba nhingi, Bunuba ngarri thangani wila ngira Yaningi. Matha wilinyagu thangani ngindaji yani u guru wiyi yani u biyirranggu ningi thangani wilawungay Yaningi. Thank you, Ambassador Mansfield. Welcome to you all and thank you for coming here today. It is custom in Australia to acknowledge country. Therefore, I would ... -
Rights and Freedoms21 September 2023Media Release
Human Rights Commissioner critical of COVID inquiry scope
Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of an inquiry into Australia’s handling of the COVID pandemic but has criticised the inquiry’s terms of reference for not having a specific focus on human rights impacts and for excluding the unilateral actions of state and territory governments. Today Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the government ... -
Children's Rights30 October 2020Media Release
Anne Hollonds commences as National Children’s Commissioner
Anne Hollonds has commenced in her role as Australia’s new National Children’s Commissioner. Commissioner Hollonds emphasised the need for greater recognition of the importance of childhood in Australia. “Childhood is quite rightly described as critically important for people's social, health and economic outcomes, but the value of childhood is not only about the future adult that a child may ... -
Race Discrimination13 October 2023Media Release
Commission President calls for human rights in Australia to be upheld in wake of Middle East conflict
The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission is calling for respect for human rights to be front of mind for all Australians as the situation in the Middle East continues to worsen. Commission President and Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM said: “The devastating conflict in Israel and Gaza and its horrific civilian fallout is impacting ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice8 July 2019Speech
Maranguka Education, Employment and Training Community Summit
Acknowledgements Jalangurru lanygu balangarri. Yaningi warangira ngindaji yuwa muwayi ingirranggu, Ngemba yani U. Yaningi miya ngindaji Muwayi ingga winyira ngarragi thangani. Yathawarra, wilalawarra jalangurru ngarri guda. Good day everyone. I acknowledge the traditional owners, the Ngemba peoples, of the land we meet on today. This is the first time the ears of this land hears my language. Let ... -
15 July 2014Book page
Chapter 5: Business and our human rights in the Declaration
5.1 Introduction The significant role of business to respect and support our human rights is increasingly being recognised. Although the protection of human rights remains the responsibility of government, business is realising that human rights are both relevant and fundamental to their operations. In many of the conversations I have had with business and community leaders across the country ... -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees13 October 2020Opinion piece
Who are we leaving behind?
In presenting last week’s Federal Budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said, “we will get through this together.” Togetherness is an important value in Australia. It speaks to the basic liberal democratic principle that no-one in our community should be left behind. While much of last week’s Budget analysis focused on the details of tax breaks and tax cuts, at a basic level the Budget is also a gauge ... -
Disability Rights15 September 2020News story
Webinar: National Disability Strategy - Beyond 2020
The Australian Human Rights Commission and the Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health are hosting a panel discussion on Stage 2 consultations for Australia's next National Disability Strategy. The National Disability Strategy is a critical policy for Australia’s future. The new Strategy provides an opportunity for all levels of government in Australia to create meaningful ... -
Race Discrimination10 July 2024Media Release
New report finds governments at all levels across Australia failing on racism
A new report has found governments and their departments at all levels across the country are failing to adequately identify and address racism – even avoiding the term ‘racism’ – and that approaches across the board are ad-hoc, disjointed, reactive, and lacking coordination between governments, agencies and sectors. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice5 May 2019Speech
Human Rights Dinner 2019 - Human Rights Law Centre
Jalangurru lanygu balangarri. Yaningi warangira ngindaji yuwa muwayi ingirranggu, Gadigal yani U. I acknowledge the Gadigal people of Eora Nation whose land we gather on tonight, and all your elders past, present and emerging. And I acknowledge all of my esteemed colleagues from the Australian Human Rights Commission including Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher. There are many other names around ...