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Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Native title payments discussion paper – Optimising Benefits from Native Title Agreements
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner has produced 15 Native Title Reports which include analyses and recommendations on the operation of the native title system and its effect on the exercise and enjoyment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.[1] Particularly relevant is the Native Title Report 2003, which provides a detailed comparative analysis of the international context of Indigenous peoples and agreement-making, concerning their lands, waters and natural resources. -
14 December 2012Book page
Addressing sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity discrimination: Consultation Report (2011)
In October 2010, the Australian Human Rights Commission commenced a public consultation to canvas the experiences and views of people who may have been discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation or sex and/or gender identity. The task was a listening exercise, and a lot needed to be said. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Removal of Mandatory Minimum Penalties) Bill 2012
The Commission supports the repeal from the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (Migration Act) of the mandatory minimum penalties currently applicable to the aggravated offence of people smuggling. -
Commission – General3 July 2018Opinion piece
Criminal record discrimination
This article by Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher was published in the Australian July 4, 2018 I recently provided a report to the Attorney-General about a man who claimed that he had been refused a job because of his criminal record. The criminal record was very serious. Ten years ago, he had been convicted of accessing and possessing child pornography. The law and the ... -
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 ... -
Sex Discrimination12 April 2018Media Release
Fourth National Survey on workplace sexual harassment
The Australian Human Rights Commission has begun the fourth national survey into workplace sexual harassment. The Commission has undertaken regular surveys on workplace sexual harassment since 2002. The Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins said the next iteration of the world-leading survey will provide important information about the nature, prevalence and reporting of Australians’ ... -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees14 August 2015Publication
Use of force in immigration detention facilities
The Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015 (the Bill) would give increased power to ‘authorised officers’ to use force against people (including asylum seekers) in immigration detention facilities. It appears that the majority (if not all) of the authorised officers will be employees of Serco Australia Pty Ltd (Serco), the private company contracted by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to run Australia’s immigration detention facilities. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice24 May 2023News story
One year since the Uluru Statement called for Voice, Treaty & Truth
The Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO is encouraging all Australians to reflect on the call made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Central Australia one year ago. On May 26 last year, First Nations peoples from around the country presented the historic Uluru Statement from the Heart. It called for: constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice14 December 2012Speech
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Thank you for joining me here today to launch the Social Justice Report and Native Title Report for 2005. Both reports were tabled in the federal Parliament 6 weeks ago on 14 February 2006. -
Commission – General4 July 2024News story
Let’s resist the worst of times with the best of humanity
By having empathy and compassion, and by making dignity real for everyone by respecting each other, we keep true to our shared humanity and to the best part of ourselves. -
14 December 2012Book page
A last resort? Case examples
Media Pack Homepage Statements by Dr Sev Ozdowski, Human Rights Commissioner (Audio Files for Download) Inquiry Commissioner and Assistants Biographies About the Inquiry Inquiry Methodology Terms of Reference Useful Links and Resources -
Commission – General9 February 2017Webpage
June Oscar AO - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
June Oscar AO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner 2017 - 2024 June Oscar AO is a proud Bunuba woman from the remote town of Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. She is a strong advocate for Indigenous Australian languages, social justice, women’s issues, and has worked tirelessly to reduce Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). June has held a ... -
14 December 2012Book page
Commission Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
This submission addresses some of the issues and questions raised in the background papers prepared by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) and in relation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951) and its 1967 Protocol (the Refugee Convention). The conclusions drawn in this submission arise out of the experiences of staff and members of the Uniting Church in Australia. We do acknowledge that the evidence presented here is therefore anecdotal. -
Commission – General25 May 2020Opinion piece
Turning the Uluru Statement into action
On the ancient lands of the Anangu, dust settled and ink dried on a document that marked an extraordinary moment in Australia’s history. From all points of the southern sky, we gathered in the centre of the country we’ve called home for more than 60 thousand years, to endorse a statement that would pave the way for First Nations peoples to have a voice enshrined in the Constitution. A voice for us ... -
Rights and Freedoms27 March 2015Publication
Rights & Responsibilities Consultation Report
Rights & Responsibilities 2014 was a national consultation conducted by the Human Rights Commissioner between August and December 2014. The consultation examined how well people think their human rights and freedoms are protected in Australia. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2007 - Chapter 2: Indigenous communities dealing with family violence and abuse
Family violence and abuse occurs at unacceptable rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) communities. We have heard many tragic stories of women, children and young people who have experienced devastating sexual abuse and family violence. It is a scourge that is causing damage and trauma among Indigenous communities, to our women and children, and to the fabric of Indigenous cultures. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Consideration of Australia’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture
The Australian Human Rights Commission makes this submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) in its consideration of Australia’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). -
14 December 2012Book page
Woman of the World - CEDAW and the Sex Discrimination Act
Since it became a signatory to CEDAW, Australia has developed many mechanisms for enforcing the rights enshrined within this Convention. At the forefront are the mechanisms and ideals provided by the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (the Sex Discrimination Act). The criminal justice system, the legal system and cultural attitudes, among others, are also utilised for the implementation and enforcement of the rights enshrined in CEDAW. -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Speech
Education and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Des English Memorial Lecture
On 30 March 2007 I was waxing lyrical to my computer screen in Sydney. My words were not quite the same, but they had equal passion and determination. At 1.40 a.m. on that Saturday morning Sydney time, I was having a few glasses of wine and watching Australia line up with 80 other countries at the United Nations (UN) in New York, to sign that same Convention on the first day it was open for signature—via podcast to my computer screen. It was Friday New York time. -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Speech
Presentation to the NSW Subcommittee of the Australian Braille Authority
Have you ever stopped to think about all the things that we take for granted? When you're wandering through the breakfast cereal isle at the supermarket, for example, do you ever wonder whether Uncle Toby really was? If so, was he related to Sara Lee? Were Nana's apple pies originally made by Granny Smith? It's not so much that familiarity breeds contempt as that it lulls us into a state of mind where we no longer feel the need to question or even test our assumptions and presumptions.