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14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2008 - Chapter 2
In my Native Title Report 2007, I reported on the changes that were made to the native title system during that year. The changes, which were made through two pieces of legislation which amended the Native Title Act, primarily affected: -
Age Discrimination22 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… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees2 July 2020Opinion piece
Blanket 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… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice28 May 2020Opinion piece
Learning 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… -
Legal17 May 2023Speech
Access to justice
Your Honours, distinguished guests: I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, the Wurrindjeri people of the Kulin nation and pay my respects to their elders, especially to those elders present today. May also thank our host the Hon Justice Mordy Bromberg and the ICJ for inviting me to this, the ninth Community Opening of the Legal Year. Together we celebrate the partnership of the… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice5 July 2021Opinion piece
Return to country endangered by failure to invest
Covid-19 has triggered the most significant return to country by First Nations people since the homeland movement commenced in the 1960s. Thousands, like myself, returned to remote communities out of necessity. Facing the unknown, our family leaders who could made the courageous decision to gather loved ones and travel out to country, with minimal resources. Importantly, Australian… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice8 September 2023Speech
CEW Leadership Summit
Introduction in language Hello everyone. I acknowledge the traditional custodians of Naarm, all the Countries of the Kulin Nations, and I pay my respects to Elder’s past, present and emerging. I recognise our First Women, our mothers, sisters, aunties, and daughters who have cared for our communities, shared knowledge and culture, and nurture future generations through women’s ways of… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees9 October 2019Media Release
Court finds asylum seekers entitled to fair process
Up to 71 asylum seekers who missed out on making an application for a protection visa were still entitled to a fair assessment of their claims the Full Federal Court has held. The Court accepted submissions from the Australian Human Rights Commission that an internal process established by the Department of Home Affairs should have provided them with procedural fairness. As a result of the … -
LGBTIQ+13 June 2019Media Release
New guidelines launched to promote the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport
Sport and human rights leaders are encouraging all Australians to “stand for inclusivity”, launching new guidelines that promote the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport. National Guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport were launched in Melbourne today. The Guidelines were developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission in -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice27 January 2021Opinion piece
Can January 26 ever be the day that all Australians unite and rejoice in our sense of collective belonging?
OPINION: I want to celebrate being Australian and I want to celebrate our remarkable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander civilisation. But every year I brace myself for the 26th knowing that it is not the day we can do this. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice16 December 2020Speech
PRESS CONFERENCE - Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women's Voices) report
NATIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE - Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women's Voices) Securing Our Rights, Securing Our Future Report 2020 Thursday, 10 December 2020 NYOONGAR PATROL SERVICE, PERTH (Opening line in Bunuba) I am extremely proud and excited to announce the release of the Wiyi Yani U Thangani—meaning Women’s Voices in my language Bunuba— Securing Our Rights, Securing Our Future Report 2020. What I… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice10 December 2020Speech
Landmark report - First Nations women and girls
Thank you all for joining me on the lands of the Nyoongar people. Thank you for the welcoming to country Kerry-Ann and I thank everyone of you for making time in your busy day to witness this press conference. I especially thank the Nyoongar outreach for hosting this event in your beautiful welcoming facility. I acknowledge the Nyoongar ancestors, their families and their courageous spirit… -
Disability Rights3 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… -
24 September 2018Webpage
Guidelines & eligibility
Learn how the Human Rights Commission values inclusivity and diversity and seeks to employ people who will support and model the behaviours we promote. -
Rights and Freedoms18 November 2021Opinion piece
Loss of freedoms and rights has harmed us
OPINION November 18, 2021 Ronald Reagan famously said that “freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction”. For many Australians, until recently, freedom has been something we have largely been able to take for granted in our daily lives. But with millions of Australians only recently emerging from lengthy lockdowns, and every single one of us still… -
Sex Discrimination1 July 2020Opinion piece
Sexual harassment is prevalent across all industries and sectors. We can and must stop it
Sexual harassment is prevalent across all industries and sectors. We can and must stop it. -
Disability Rights6 April 2020Submission
Submission: People with Disability and the Criminal Justice System (2020)
The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (the Royal Commission). -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees26 July 2019Media Release
Transferring asylum seeker families to Nauru – human rights report
The practice of sending to Nauru families with young children who arrived in Australia seeking asylum is the subject of an inquiry report by the Australian Human Rights Commission tabled in Parliament today. [1] Mr Richard Lancaster SC, as delegate of the President, found that the regional processing centre on Nauru was not an appropriate place to send families with young children… -
Sex Discrimination5 March 2021Webpage
Information - Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
Learn about the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice26 June 2019Speech
‘Hear Us, See Us’ Photo Exhibition Launch
Welcome and Acknowledgements Jalangurru lanygu balangarri. Ngayininyanyjili Bunuba nhingi, Bunuba ngarri thangani wila ngira Yaningi. Matha wilinyagu thangani ngindaji yani u guru wiyi yani u biyirranggu ningi thangani wilawungay Yaningi. Thank you, Ambassador Mansfield. Welcome to you all and thank you for coming here today. It is custom in Australia to acknowledge country. Therefore, I…