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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
28 May 2020Opinion pieceLearning 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 ... -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
2 July 2020Opinion pieceBlanket bans would be unacceptable
During lockdown, many of us – myself included – have become even more reliant on our mobile phones. They have kept us in contact with parents, children and grandchildren, our colleagues and friends during this difficult time. When my two-year old first saw his grandmother on a smartphone, he squealed with delight. It wasn’t quite the same as being together — he pawed at the screen to try to touch ... -
Rights and Freedoms
9 July 2020News story
Commission warns of ASIO Bill overreach
The Australian Human Rights Commission has called for a redraft of a new Bill to amend ASIO’s powers. The Commission raised wide-ranging human rights concerns in a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security inquiry into the effectiveness of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2020. The Bill contains a number of changes to the current ... -
Age Discrimination
22 July 2020Media ReleaseUrgent call to harmonise powers of attorney
Australia’s Age Discrimination Commissioner, the Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO, has called on the federal and state and territory Attorneys-General to act urgently to implement the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) recommendations on powers of attorney at the COAG meeting on 27 July. The Australian Human Rights Commission has heard from lawyers, peak bodies and frontline workers of a sharp rise ... -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
28 September 2023Opinion piece
The referendum is Australia’s gateway moment
Read Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar's op-ed in support of the Voice Referendum, published in The Guardian Australia. "We’ve been advocating for a permanent representative body for decades. My old people wanted this. My family in remote Australia facing unbelievable struggles daily want this." -
Disability Rights
18 December 2023News story
Webinar: Lessons from disability employment project IncludeAbility
The IncludeAbility pilot programs How can we reimagine disability employment in Australia, to the benefit of individuals, organisations, and the wider community? Watch this webinar, delivered in November 2023, to learn about the Australian Human Rights Commission’s successful IncludeAbility disability employment project, and how the insights gained can pave the way for a better future. Australia ... -
Complaint Information Service29 January 2019Webpage
Information for advocates and lawyers participating in conciliation
The Commission values the positive role that advocates and lawyers can play in conciliation. Advocates and lawyers can provide important support to parties, assist parties understand and articulate how they see the law applies to a complaint and advise parties on possible options to resolve the complaint. Conciliators at the Commission decide whether it is appropriate for an advocate or lawyer to ... -
Rights and Freedoms
2 May 2024Media Release
Michael Kirby and Jennifer Robinson to deliver joint keynote address at landmark human rights forum
Two of Australia’s most famous legal eagles are set to team up to prosecute the case for an Australian Human Rights Act at an historic two-day forum in June during the Vivid Sydney festival. Eminent international jurist and former High Court judge Michael Kirby and leading international human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson (who represents Julian Assange) will tag team at the Free + Equal Human ... -
Rights and Freedoms
8 May 2024Media Release
60% student discount announced for landmark national human rights event
Organisers of a major national human rights conference have just announced a 60% discount for students who want to attend the historic gathering in June during the Vivid Sydney festival. Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference is set to attract hundreds of delegates from across Australia’s human rights, civil society, legal, justice, government ... -
Rights and Freedoms
16 April 2024Media Release
Full program revealed for landmark gathering of Australian Human Rights Act supporters
Leading human rights advocates from across Australia and around the world are set to give a massive boost to efforts to introduce an Australian Human Rights Act at a historic forum in June during the Vivid Sydney festival. The final line-up of speakers has just been announced with more than 60 eminent experts, thought leaders, social justice advocates and community heroes set to provide a lively ... -
Rights and Freedoms
18 November 2020Webpage
How are our human rights protected in law in Australia during COVID-19?
Discover how existing human rights laws continue to apply in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the rights of all citizens. -
Sex Discrimination
17 January 2019Project
National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces
On 5 March 2020, 'Respect@Work, the Australian Human Rights Commission’s report of the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces' was released by Kate Jenkins, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner. -
Commission – General
3 July 2024Opinion pieceLet’s resist the worst of times with the best of humanity
When I began my term as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission seven years ago, the marriage equality plebiscite was engulfing our nation, in much the same way as the recent Voice referendum did. -
Age Discrimination
13 May 2024Webpage
The 'Let's Talk Ageing' Series
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Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Disability discrimination legislation and its implementation (1997)
When I was invited to prepare this paper, Andrew Byrnes encouraged me to concentrate on drawing out strategic thoughts from the Australian experience which might be relevant in Hong Kong , and perhaps in other countries also. That is what I hope to do, rather than spending much time simply reciting that experience or the terms of Australia 's legislation. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Hot Topics
Can I also acknowledge Blake Dawson Waldron lawyers for providing the venue and facilities, and the NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Service for their initiative in organising this forum. -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageCommission submissions: Khafaji
The Commonwealth relies upon Australia's response to the UNHRC's decision in A v Australia.(34) Nothing flows from that response. The UNHRC hears individual complaints of violations of the ICCPR (called "communications") under the First Optional Protocol to the ICCPR. (35) Australia is a party to the First Optional Protocol. (36) The decisions or "views" of the UNHRC regarding those communications do not constitute legally binding decisions in international law. (37) However, as the UNHRC has noted: -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Commission submissions: Al Masri
1. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (the "Commission") files these written submissions pursuant to the orders entered 24 September 2002. The Commission makes no submissions on the respondent's motion of 18 September 2002. On the assumption that the appeal is competent, the Commission's submissions address the proper construction of s.196 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (the "Act"). -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
President speech: Using human rights to inform administrative decision-making
The right to non-discrimination on the basis of sex and immigration regulations: Abdulaziz, Cabales and Balkandali v The United Kingdom (28 May 1985) Eur Court HR -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Commission submissions: Gunn and Taylor
(gb) Where HREOC considers it appropriate to do so, with the leave of the court hearing the proceedings and subject to any conditions imposed by the court, to intervene in proceedings that involve issues of discrimination on the ground of sex, marital status, pregnancy or potential pregnancy or discrimination involving sexual harassment;