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Rights and Freedoms17 January 2019Media Release
Statement by Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow
“The Commission will consider the Religious Freedom Review, and any proposals for reform, once the report is officially released. “Any law reform proposal must protect the rights of everyone in Australia. “The Commission made six recommendations to the Review. In addition to better public education on freedom of religion, the Commission called for federal law to prohibit discrimination on… -
Commission – General1 August 2022Media Release
Commission urges passage of new Bill to strengthen integrity
The Australian Human Rights Commission is urging all federal parliamentarians to support the passage of the new Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment (Selection and Appointment) Bill 2022. Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, has welcomed the introduction to Parliament of the new Bill by Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, last week. The… -
Rights and Freedoms15 March 2024Speech
Free + Equal: Australian Conversation on Human Rights Opening Remarks
Opening Remarks Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission Check against delivery Your Excellency, Dr Michele Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Australian Human Rights Commission Commissioners—Dr Ben Gauntlett, Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan, Sex Discrimination… -
Rights and Freedoms24 October 2022Media Release
Human Rights Commission calls for urgent action to address fallout from suspension of UN SPT visit
The Australian Human Rights Commission is urging all Australian state and territory governments to fully commit to implementing an important human rights framework for people held in detention settings following the suspension of a tour of Australia by United Nations inspectors. A delegation from the UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (UN SPT) has been in Australia since last week… -
Sex Discrimination5 March 2021Media Release
Statement on Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
As Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner, I welcome today’s announcement from Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham. I acknowledge the importance and urgency of this Independent Review (Review) into the workplaces of Parliamentarians and their staff, established by the Federal Government, in consultation with the Presiding Officers, the Opposition, minor parties and independents. The… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice15 March 2022Media Release
Commissioner backs calls for no more guns in communities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar AO has joined calls for no more guns to be carried by police officers in communities, and has extended her heart and thoughts to the family of Kumanjayi Walker, the Yuendumu community and Warlpiri people at this very difficult time. Commissioner Oscar said, “Walker’s family have been brave, courageous, and… -
25 March 2020Webpage
Human Rights Awards
The Human Rights Awards recognise contributions of individuals and organisations across Australia who champion human rights, social justice, and equality for all. -
Legal23 September 2021Submission
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Remote Engagement Program) Bill 2021
The Australian Human Rights Commission makes this submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for its inquiry into the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Remote Engagement Program) Bill 2021. -
Race Discrimination3 February 2020Media Release
Coronavirus requires unity and support, not division
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s Race Discrimination Commissioner, Chin Tan has urged all Australians to remain calm, show consideration and unite as a community in response to the Coronavirus crisis: “Reports of racial discrimination against Chinese people in our community are disappointing. They hurt both the Chinese community and our collective community wellbeing at a time when… -
Legal13 August 2021Submission
Review of the Telecommunications and other Legislation Amendment (Assistance & Access) Act 2018 (Cth)
The Commission makes this submission to the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor review of the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 (Cth), in particular whether the Act contains: appropriate safeguards for protecting the rights of individuals; remains proportionate to any threat of terrorism or threat to national security, or both -
Children's Rights12 April 2023Event
Webinar: Reinventing schools to support learning & wellbeing for all
If we want children to flourish, we must ask ourselves if the school system is doing the right thing by them. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the fault lines that emerge when health and learning aren’t considered holistically. Declining mental health, disengagement from learning, disruption among social connections and vastly reduced physical activity were some of the impacts on children… -
Sex Discrimination23 July 2021Media Release
Commission releases Progress Update on Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
The Australian Human Rights Commission has today released its Progress Update on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces. The Commission was asked to undertake the Review by the Federal Government, with the support of the Opposition and crossbench, in March 2021. The Review is examining the culture of Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces with the aim of ensuring… -
Race Discrimination22 July 2021Media Release
Sharing the Stories of Australian Muslims
Most Australian Muslims (63%) believe Australia is a welcoming society, despite an even greater majority (80%) experiencing prejudice or discrimination. The figures were included in a report published today by the Australian Human Rights Commission, Sharing the Stories of Australian Muslims. It found three in four (74%) Australian Muslims said they felt ‘Australian’, but one in four (23%)… -
Race Discrimination26 October 2020Media Release
Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture
Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture: Racial Equality in the Time of COVID The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected Australia’s diverse communities. From the racial targeting of Asian Australians to the hard lockdown imposed on residents in Melbourne’s public housing towers, the pandemic has also raised questions about the place of diverse communities in Australian society. The Australian… -
Sex Discrimination28 November 2022Media Release
Time for respect: One third of workers say they have experienced sexual harassment
The survey found that reporting of workplace sexual harassment remains alarmingly low, at only 18%. Women (41%) were far more likely than men (26%) to experience harassment, and more than three quarters of harassers were men (77%). -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice7 September 2023Webpage
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Information about the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. -
Legal11 June 2021Submission
Inquiry into whether Australia should enact legislation comparable to the United States’ Magnitsky Act 2012
The Australian Human Rights Commission makes this submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Human Rights Sub-committee, with respect to its inquiry into whether Australia should enact legislation comparable to the United States’ Magnitsky Act 2012. -
Legal10 June 2021Submission
Submission on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2020
The Australian Human Rights Commission makes this submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security in relation to its Review of the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2020 (Cth) introduced by the Australian Government. -
Legal8 June 2021Submission
Inquiry into the efficacy, fairness, timeliness and costs of visas for family reunion
The Commission makes this submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee in relation to its inquiry into the efficacy, fairness, timeliness and costs of the processing and granting of visa classes which provide for or allow for family and partner reunions. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice7 May 2021Media Release
Kimberley Aboriginal Women develop regional action plan
This week 100 women, including 85 Kimberley Aboriginal women, gathered for a three-day roundtable to commence development of a regional action plan and establish the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council. The roundtable, held from May 4-6, 2021, was convened in response to the landmark Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) report released by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissioner…