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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
17 January 2019Media ReleaseTime to act on constitutional recognition
The current and former Social Justice Commissioners have called for political leadership to ensure the recommendations of the Joint Select Committee on constitutional recognition are realised. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO and former commissioners Mick Gooda, Professor Tom Calma AO, Dr William Jonas AM and Emeritus Professor Mick Dodson… -
Age Discrimination
24 May 2019Publication
Willing to Work: National Inquiry into Employment Discrimination Against Older Australians and Australians with Disability (2016)
The right to work is a fundamental human right, but one that far too many older people and people with disability in Australia do not enjoy. -
9 May 2024Conciliation register
2021-06-04
The complainant is deaf and uses a cochlear implant. She alleged the respondent motel informed her she would not be able to bring her service dog with her because it did not allow pets in guest rooms. On being notified of the complaint, the motel indicated a willingness to participate in conciliation. The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the motel write to the complainant… -
14 April 2022Conciliation register
2020-12-02
The complainant has asthma and psychosocial disability, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), related to trauma. She has an assistance dog. The complainant’s general practitioner referred her to the respondent health clinic for a consultation with the respondent doctor. The clinic’s receptionist contacted her to confirm that she would be undergoing certain medical procedures prior… -
Disability Rights
16 April 2024Webpage
Ambassador Profile - Heidi La Paglia Reid
30-year-old Autistic advocate and mum, Heidi talks IncludeAbility, and making the world a better place for women and people with disability. -
Age Discrimination
15 May 2023Media Release
Centenarian portrait exhibition smashes ageism myths
A new portrait exhibition opening this weekend has been lauded for dismantling ageist stereotypes and fostering strong connections between teenagers and centenarians by the Age Discrimination Commissioner, The Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO. The Centenarian Portrait Project by Teenagers is an ambitious 7-year long, nation-wide portrait project of teenage artists painting people aged 100 years or… -
2 July 2021Conciliation register
2020-06-01
The complainant is blind and unable to read information on signs and notification screens. He alleged he was refused sighted-guide assistance at a station to enable him to find and make his way to a platform. The respondent public transport provider considered that its station staff and conductors offer passengers with disability sufficient assistance to access station facilities, including … -
Race Discrimination
28 October 2022News storyRace Discrimination Commissioner welcomes National Anti-Racism Strategy funding
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner has welcomed the federal budget announcement that $7.5 million over 4 years will be provided to the Australian Human Rights Commission to develop a national strategy to tackle racism and promote racial equality in Australia. -
10 February 2021Conciliation register
2019-07-01
The complainant alleged the respondent employment agency posted an advertisement seeking a ‘young’ security professional. The employment agency said a mistake had been made and there had been no intent to exclude any person from applying, or being considered, for the role on the ground of age. The agency undertook to amend the advertisement and deliver anti-discrimination training to new… -
Disability Rights
3 December 2020Opinion piece
Being acknowledged is the first step to being included
When I started my career as a young lawyer, I made a decision to tell people upfront that I used a wheelchair. On the occasions when I didn't, people often didn’t realise that I was the lawyer who they had spoken to on the phone. They would assume I was attending a meeting for work experience, or address their questions to my colleague instead of me. This continued even as my career… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
7 May 2023Media Release
Young First Nations women to raise their voices at historic forum
150 young First Nations women will gather in Canberra tomorrow to help set an agenda for change in relation to the rights, health, safety, wellbeing and prosperity of young Indigenous women and girls. The Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) Youth Forum is a precursor to the landmark Wiyi Yani U Thangani National Summit (May 9 – 11), Australia’s most significant gathering ever of First… -
2 July 2021Conciliation register
2020-06-12
The complainant has anxiety and depression. She is enrolled in a bachelor’s degree with the respondent university and resides in student accommodation. The complainant said that the university had previously accommodated her need to take time off her studies to manage her disability. However, she claimed the university had recently started a ‘show cause’ process due to an unsuccessful year… -
2 July 2021Conciliation register
2020-06-13
The complainant worked for a community organisation and alleged that a volunteer stroked her arm and embraced her without her consent at a work event. She said she reported the incident to the organisation and the police. She said the organisation found that the volunteer had breached its Code of Conduct but allowed him to keep working with the organisation. She alleged the matter would have… -
10 February 2021Conciliation register
2020-01-08
The complainant is Aboriginal and alleged that, during a conversation in the dining room of a hotel, the respondent, whom she knew in a professional capacity, made derogatory comments about Aboriginal people and referred to them as ‘gins’ and ‘coloured people’. The complainant said she found the comments and the terms used to describe Aboriginal people offensive and intimidating. The… -
Age Discrimination
10 July 2019Publication
Multigenerational workforces
While older workers bring skills and knowledge to the workplace, age discrimination still presents a significant barrier to meaningful participation in the workforce. In 2016–17, 58% of age discrimination complaints received by the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) were related to work. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
24 May 2023News story
Uluru Convention ‘an historic opportunity for change’
“We gather from the furthest corners of this country to discuss a matter of great importance: how we, as the First Peoples of this country, stand in Australia’s founding legal document – the Constitution.” In her opening remarks to the Uluru National Convention, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar, described this week’s gathering of Aboriginal… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
1 June 2021Speech
Truth for change - Reckoning with our past and transforming our nation
This was the keynote address at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies conference, 2021. Good morning everyone. I acknowledge the Kaurna peoples whose lands we gather on for this conference—I pay my respects to your elders, past, present and emerging. I also acknowledge all our peoples who have come from countries—First Nations—from across this vast… -
14 January 2021Conciliation register
2019-05-03
The complainant is 52 years of age and applied for an overseas position as an English teacher. She alleged the respondent company did not progress her application because it considered she would be unlikely to secure a visa due to her age. The company claimed the decision not to hire the complainant was based on merit and suitability for the role. The complaint was resolved with an agreement… -
Age Discrimination
22 July 2020Media Release
Urgent 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… -
10 February 2021Conciliation register
2020-02-03
The complainant is deaf and worked for the respondent vocational training provider. He alleged that his employer and his manager discriminated against him on the ground of his disability, including by excluding him, failing to install visual fire alarms throughout the premises and failing to install a visual doorbell to the staff room. On being advised of the complaint, the respondents…