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14 December 2012Book page
3. Setting the Scene - Children in Immigration Detention
I want to tell you that actually I spent about fifteen nights in the ride to Australia. I was in a small boat if you want to call that a boat, because it was smaller than that, with lots of difficulties. When I saw [we were] getting near Australia I was becoming a little bit hopeful. When we passed Darwin I got to the detention centre as soon as I looked at these barbed wires my mind was full of fear. That was the time that I experienced fear ... -
Age Discrimination
27 November 2019Media ReleaseAttorneys-General Need to Act on Elder Abuse
Age Discrimination Commissioner Dr Kay Patterson is calling on the Council of Attorneys-General to agree to take immediate action on elder abuse at their meeting tomorrow to develop a timetable outlining its action plan. “Elder abuse is a blight on our society. Older Australians do not have time on their side, they need immediate action from Governments at state and federal levels,” said Dr ... -
Commission – General
29 November 2023News story
Kyiv-Copenhagen Declaration reaffirms commitment to preventing torture
The Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay, recently travelled to Copenhagen to attend the 14th International Conference of National Human Rights Institutions. More than 85 NHRIs from around the world participated in the conference, which was co-hosted by GANHRI, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, and the Office of the United Nations ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012SpeechJustice Reinvestment
I would like to begin by paying my respects to the Gadigal peoples of the Eora nation, the traditional owners of the land where we gather today. I pay my respects to your elders past and present, to the ancestors and to those who have come before us. -
Disability Rights
18 August 2015PublicationReflections - first 5 years of the Disability Discrimination Act
As I reach the end of my appointment as the first Disability Discrimination Commissioner, and in the light of proposed structural and funding changes to the Commission, I am drawn to reflect upon the theory and practice, challenges and developments, lessons and achievements, of the first five years of operation of the Disability Discrimination Act, and to look towards directions for the next five years. -
Rights and Freedoms
3 March 2023SpeechHuman Rights in the time of Covid
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as a public health emergency tested national readiness in a federal system to contain the spread of the disease effectively and required very quick action by governments. -
14 December 2012Book page
Mental Health Legal Centre Inc: Comments on HREOC Discussion Paper on Living Wills
The message coming through loudly and clearly from consumers is that the introduction of Living Wills which have some legal force would mean an improvement in the recognition of their rights. -
14 December 2012Book page
Reconciliation Action Plan 2012 book
The Commission is Australia’s national human rights institution. It is an independent statutory body established under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth). The Commission’s main responsibilities are: -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
Human rights in regional, rural and remote Australia: Chris Sidoti (1998)
When the CWA started in 1923 about 40% of Australians lived in rural communities. Rural Australia was made up of small but functioning communities whose members had to work hard but could make a living from the land. -
Age Discrimination
19 June 2013Project
Fact or fiction? Stereotypes of older Australians
Explore a fact sheet that outlines the discriminatory attitudes and behaviours older people can experience in the workplace and the community. -
Commission – General
19 August 2015Publication
Corporate Plan 2015-2016
This Corporate Plan sets out the strategic direction and priorities of the Commission four the next four years. It creates an explicit connection between the public reporting of our corporate goals, our operational environment, key activities for the coming year and annual performance reporting. -
14 December 2012Book page
Commission Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
The Youth Justice Coalition (YJC) is a network of youth workers, children's lawyers, policy workers and academics concerned about juvenile justice and working to promote the rights of children and young people in Australia. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012Webpage
Joint Statement to the Expert Mechanism on the rights of Indigenous peoples (2010)
We make this statement in our capacity as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner on behalf of the Australian Human Rights Commission and as a Commissioner of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission. Our National Human Rights Commissions are established in compliance with the ‘Paris Principles Relating to the Status and Functions of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights’ in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 48/134 of 1993. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012Webpage
Reparations for the stolen generations - ATSIC responds
I would like to thank the Minister, Philip Ruddock, his Opposition counterpart, Bob McMullan, and Australian Democrats deputy leader, Senator Aden Ridgeway, for their contributions today. It is now my task, on behalf of ATSIC, to give a response to the plans outlined by the major political parties as to how they would move the stolen generations issue forward. -
Education14 December 2012Publication
Human rights education in the national school Curriculum
The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) welcomes the development of a national school curriculum (the Curriculum). We believe that the development of the Curriculum is a unique opportunity to ensure all young Australians develop an understanding and appreciation for human rights. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
21 November 2017Media Release
National Stolen Generations reparations scheme needed
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO has called for a national reparations scheme for members of the Stolen Generations. “It’s been heartening to see a number of reparations schemes in states and territories around the country, but a national scheme is vital to ensuring that members of the Stolen Generations have access to financial redress for the ... -
14 December 2012Book page
HREOC Website: Isma - Listen: National consultations on eliminating prejudice against Arab and Muslim Australias
The consultation was organised by the Islamic Women's Welfare Centre as part of its research into racial violence against Muslim women living in Victoria. It was facilitated by Ms Joumanah El Matrah, Manager of the Islamic Women's Welfare Council of Victoria, and attended by Ms Omeima Sukkarieh, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. Amna Malkin acted as group leader and interpreter. The consultation was attended by 11 members of the program all of whom were Eritrean Muslim refugee women over the age of 60 who have been in Australia between two and13 years. -
14 December 2012Book page
It's About Time - Chapter 1
1.1 Introduction 1.2 Broadening the work and family debate 1.3 HREOC and the human rights principles supporting workers with family and carer responsibilities 1.4 Background and methodology 1.5 Research and data 1.6 Conclusion -
Rights and Freedoms
10 April 2013Publication
Homelessness is a Human Rights Issue
This paper explores the many ways that homelessness impacts on a person’s ability to enjoy basic rights and freedoms. It shows that homelessness is more than just a housing issue. Homelessness is about human rights. Homeless people are not merely objects of charity, seeking help and compassion – like all Australians, they are individuals entitled to the protection and promotion of their human rights. Since human rights belong to everyone, it is in the interests of the Australian community as a whole to ensure that the rights of homeless people are respected and protected. -
Rights and Freedoms
15 May 2017Webpage
OPCAT Consultation Page
Learn how Australia ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).