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Race Discrimination
23 July 2015Opinion pieceForty years of the Racial Discrimination Act
In October 1975, at a ceremony for the proclamation of the Racial Discrimination Act, then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam described the legislation as ‘a historic measure’, which aimed to ‘entrench new attitudes of tolerance and understanding in the hearts and minds of the people’.(1) The Act was Australia’s first federal human rights and discrimination law. Enacted shortly after the formal -
14 December 2012Book page
Appendices2 - Annual Report 2009-2010: Australian Human Rights Commission
Appendices Appendix 2 – Complaint statistics Enquiries and complaints received In 2010-11 the Commission received 18 670 enquiries and 2 152 complaints which is similar to the average number of enquiries and complaints received over the past five years. • 38% of complaints were lodged under the Disability Discrimination Act • 21% of complaints were lodged under the Sex Discrimination Act •… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
12 September 2019PublicationMs HM and Master YM v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Home Affairs)
Ms HM and Master YM v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Home Affairs) [2018] AusHRC 127 Report into arbitrary interference with family and failure to consider the best interests of the child Introduction to this inquiry This is a report setting out the findings of the Australian Human Rights Commission (Commission) following an inquiry into a complaint by Ms HM and Master YM against… -
Rights and Freedoms
29 August 2019Publication
Discussion paper: A model for positive human rights reform
This paper outlines what our current system of human rights protections looks like, how it is and isn’t effective in ensuring that government respects, protects and fulfils our human rights, why reforming the current system is critical, and options for reform. -
Commission – General
12 July 2019PublicationCorporate Plan 2019 - 2020
Respect for human rights and freedoms is the cornerstone of a cohesive and peaceful society in which everyone can make a contribution and feel safe and included. This Corporate Plan shows how we achieve our purpose and promote an Australian society where human rights are enjoyed by everyone, everywhere, everyday. It has been prepared in accordance with s 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance -
14 December 2012Book page
Commission Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
This submission has been prepared following a public seminar held on 4 March 2002 to discuss the experiences of children in Immigration Detention Centres in Australia. The seminar, held at the University of Western Sydney (Macarthur - Bankstown), was convened by Childhood and Youth Policy Research Unit of the Social Justice and Social Change Research Centre, University of Western Sydney in… -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2002: Introduction
The year under review in this, my fourth Native Title Report, is a year in which the High Court has handed down its decision in several significant native title cases thus elucidating the principles upon which the recognition and extinguishment of native title are determined. 2002 marks the end of a ten year period since the Mabo decision [1] first introduced the dual concepts of recognising and… -
14 December 2012Book page
RESPONSE TO THE DISCUSSION PAPER: LIVING WILLS: OPAWA
The Public Advocate of Western Australia supports the concept of people with mental illnesses having significant and formalised input into the treatment of their illness. A pre-planning instrument such as a living will is a useful tool for people with fluctuating illnesses to contribute to their management while they are unwell. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
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I also thank Professor Barry Brook for his survey of the latest scientific assessments and forecasts on the impact of climate change on our planet. They are indeed alarming. The fact of climate change, and the rate of change, has become all too clear, even if there are still sceptics that wish to debate the causes. Our title reference to “Catastrophic Impacts” seems fully justified. -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageSubmission - Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test and Other Provisions) Bill (2011)
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in its Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test and Other Provisions) Bill 2011. -
Rights and Freedoms
30 April 2019Publication
Free and equal: An Australian conversation on human rights (2019)
Through 2019, the Commission will promote conversation nationally to identify what makes an effective system of human rights protection for 21st century Australia? -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2006: Chapter 6: Ngarda Civil and Mining
Ngarda Civil and Mining (Ngarda) began its operation five years ago with six staff and six whipper-snippers. It is now a multi-million dollar Indigenous owned and operated business that provides contracting services to the mining and construction industries in four regions of the Pilbara. -
Rights and Freedoms
28 October 2020Webpage
Where is the line on COVID-19 emergency measures?
Learn how limitations to human rights must be necessary and proportionate, including during a pandemic situation such as COVID-19. -
Children's Rights
6 April 2022Publication
Keeping kids safe and well: your voices
Children and young people are experts in their own lives, and their insights are critical for understanding how we can better support their safety and wellbeing. -
Rights and Freedoms
26 October 2017Speech
National Human Rights Commissions — what’s the point?
International Bar Association Section on Public and Professional Interests 12 October 2017 Sydney by Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission [ Professor Croucher spoke to this paper] Acknowledgements As the Head of an Australian Government agency I begin my presentation by acknowledging the traditional custodians of this land, and pay my respect… -
Rights and Freedoms
9 August 2019Speech
Human Rights are not a foreign language
Human Rights are not a foreign language—reflections on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission [∗] University of Adelaide Faculty of Law Tuesday 4 September 2018 Acknowledgement I would like to begin my presentation by acknowledging the traditional custodians of this land, and to… -
Rights and Freedoms
25 June 2020Publication
Freedom of Religion in Australia: a focus on serious harms (2020)
The right to freedom of religion is recognised in international human rights law and receives some protection in Australia’s federal, state and territory laws. -
Legal
24 April 2015Submission
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2015 (Cth)
1 Introduction The Australian Human Rights Commission makes this submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee in its Inquiry into the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2015 (Cth) (Bill) introduced by the Government. 2 Summary The Commission welcomes the opportunity to make a submission about this Bill. Given the limited… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
President speeches: Protecting the human rights of Indigenous people and communities
I would like to acknowledge the Kaurna peoples, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, and pay my respects to their elders past and present. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
Mission Australia National Management Team Meeting
Speaking notes for a presentation to the Mission Australia National Management Team Meeting in Sydney on 22 August 2001 by Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM, Human Rights Commissioner