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Children's Rights
11 December 2024Media ReleaseAustralian Government urged to stand up for the human rights of children
As the Queensland Government moves to pass its controversial Making Queensland Safer Bill this week, the National Children’s Commissioner is calling on the Australian Government to affirm its commitment to the human rights of Australia’s children, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. -
Race Discrimination
26 November 2024Media ReleaseLandmark national plan seeks to end racism in Australia
Image design copyright Bree Buttenshaw for Saltwater People (2024). Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner today launched the most comprehensive plan ever for eliminating racism in Australia. Developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission with dedicated funding from the Australian Government, the National Anti-Racism Framework provides a roadmap for governments, business and… -
Sex Discrimination
11 December 2024Media ReleaseOne year strong: advancing workplace gender equality through the positive duty
Today marks one year since the Australian Human Rights Commission’s positive duty regulatory powers came into force, aiming to eliminate sexual harassment and discrimination in Australian workplaces. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
9 December 2024Media ReleaseWomen in immigration detention at serious risk of harassment and violence
The Australian Human Rights Commission has called for significant reform to the country’s immigration detention system, after a new report into the treatment of women in detention found their rights, safety and wellbeing are being widely overlooked. These failures, it found, are compounding the risk to women of harassment, violence, and ill health. -
Race Discrimination
19 December 2024Media Release
Commission delivers interim report on racism at Australian universities
The initial stages of a study about racism at Australian universities being undertaken by the Australian Human Rights Commission have revealed a range of concerns from both students and staff in relation to their experience of racism on university campuses. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
4 December 2024Media ReleaseQueensland Bills a major step backwards for the rights of First Nations people
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Ms Katie Kiss has warned that legislation introduced by the Queensland Government late last week was “a devastating step backwards for First Nations rights and a blow to respectful relationships between the state government and Indigenous Queenslanders.” The Queensland Parliament repealed the Path to Treaty Act 2023 at… -
Rights and Freedoms
30 October 2024News story
COVID Review a good start, but human toll must be recognised
The findings of a federal review into the country’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted more needs to be done by all levels of governments to acknowledge the human cost of the pandemic response and ultimately restore public trust, says Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay. -
Commission – General
4 October 2024Media ReleaseCommission President reiterates calls for upholding human rights as violence in the Middle East escalates
As the violence in the Middle East escalates, and with the approaching anniversary of the brutal 7 October attacks by Hamas and the start of Israel’s devastating and continuing response, the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission has reiterated its call for upholding human rights and international humanitarian law. -
Race Discrimination
15 October 2024Media Release
Race Discrimination Commissioner condemns neo-Nazi rally in regional NSW
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman, has condemned the neo-Nazi rally held in regional New South Wales on the weekend, warning it is further proof of the urgent need for a national strategy to combat racism. -
Commission – General
11 September 2024E-bulletin (Monthly)
September 2024: Commission News | President's Message
Dear friends, It was good to reflect at the recent Law Institute of Victoria Legal Sector Dinner on access to justice, the role of lawyers and the law. Too often our legal system delivers unequal access to justice – different standards of justice depending on who you are, where you live and how much is in your bank account. Laws granting people rights are meaningless if people can’t enforce… -
Race Discrimination
31 October 2024Media Release
Dismantling systemic racism – perspectives from First Nations peoples
Governments must recognise systemic racism and its devastating impacts on Australia’s First Nations peoples and take urgent action to address it, a new report has found. Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman said, “Systemic racism, in law, policies and service delivery, has serious and ongoing consequences, including poor mental and physical health, economic disadvantage,… -
Age Discrimination
1 October 2024Media ReleaseNew report finds Australian media must improve how it reports on older people
Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM has urged Australian newsrooms to review their editorial practices, work closely with experts in the age sector, and strengthen staff training to specifically cover age and ageism, after a new report found the media industry is failing to accurately represent older Australians and the issues they are facing. -
Children's Rights
18 October 2024Media Release
NT youth crime laws fail children and the community
National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds said the passing of legislation in the Northern Territory that will see children as young as 10 years old jailed is a failure of all the support systems that should be helping these children. -
Disability Rights
31 July 2024Media ReleaseCommissioner urges stronger government commitment to Disability Royal Commission findings
Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess has urged the Federal Government to make a stronger commitment to the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendations, if the vision for a more inclusive Australia is to ever be achieved. -
Sex Discrimination
20 September 2024Media Release
Sex Discrimination Commissioner welcomes final recommendation being implemented from Respect@Work report
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody has welcomed the Australian parliament’s passing of legislation that will prevent courts ordering applicants to pay respondent’s costs in Federal Court discrimination cases. -
Age Discrimination
13 June 2024Media Release
Age 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,… -
Race Discrimination
25 July 2024Media Release
Race Discrimination Commissioner welcomes Multicultural Framework Review
Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman has welcomed the release of the Multicultural Framework Review by the Federal Government, calling it a significant step towards the greater recognition of the rights of racially marginalised Australians. The review, led by an independent panel, was released by Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Andrew Giles on… -
Commission – General
4 July 2024E-bulletin (Monthly)
July 2024: Commission News | President's letter
Dear friends, I am pleased to report the Free + Equal Conference was a resounding success. A big thank you to everyone who participated in these timely and significant discussions about human rights and the urgent need for a Human Rights Act in Australia. A snapshot of the conference: 700+ delegates pledged support for a national Human Rights Act 60+ speakers 1200+ attendees over two days 12… -
Children's Rights
19 July 2024Media Release
Australian Human Rights Commission condemns children’s isolation cells
Grave concern over recently released CCTV footage depicting a First Nations child of 13 years of age with an intellectual disability, being forcibly restrained -
Race Discrimination
16 October 2024News story
National consultations show widespread, systemic racism damaging lives
Racism is commonplace and normalised in Australia and can affect almost every part of a person’s daily life, according to a new report for the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). National consultations with diverse and marginalised communities revealed first-hand accounts from hundreds of people who have experienced racism.