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Commission – General
29 July 2024News story
Hugh de Kretser commences as Human Rights Commission President
The new President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Hugh de Kretser, said maintaining the push to see a national Human Rights Act introduced will be among his key priorities, as he today commenced in the role. -
Race Discrimination
10 July 2024Media ReleaseNew report finds governments at all levels across Australia failing on racism
A new report has found governments and their departments at all levels across the country are failing to adequately identify and address racism – even avoiding the term ‘racism’ – and that approaches across the board are ad-hoc, disjointed, reactive, and lacking coordination between governments, agencies and sectors. -
Sex Discrimination
23 August 2024Media ReleaseSex Discrimination Commissioner comments on Federal Court judgment in Tickle v Giggle for Girls Pty Ltd
Federal Court handed down judgement that Roxanne Tickle was discriminated against when she was refused access to a social media app, ‘made for women by women’. -
Race Discrimination
25 July 2024Media Release
Race Discrimination Commissioner welcomes Multicultural Framework Review
Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman has welcomed the release of the Multicultural Framework Review by the Federal Government, calling it a significant step towards the greater recognition of the rights of racially marginalised Australians. The review, led by an independent panel, was released by Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Andrew Giles on… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
27 May 2024Media ReleaseSocial Justice Commissioner: now more than ever, Australia must reconcile with its First Nations people
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss, has marked the start of Reconciliation Week by calling on Australians to finally overcome generations of disadvantage and division when it comes to First Nations rights, and forge a path for unity. The Commissioner warned that systemic failures facing Indigenous communities in all sectors of society including… -
LGBTIQ+
29 August 2024Media ReleaseSex Discrimination Commissioner calls on Fed Gov to reverse LGBTIQA+ Census backflip
Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody has called on the Federal Government to reconsider a decision to renege on a commitment to have LGBTIQA+-related questions and topics in the 2026 Census. -
Race Discrimination
9 May 2024News story
Commission to lead historic anti-racism study into universities
The Australian Human Rights Commission will lead a groundbreaking independent study to better understand and address the dangerous prevalence of racism at universities, after receiving $2.5 million in Commonwealth funding. Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman said the study will be “comprehensive”, with university students and staff to share their experiences of racism, and… -
Children's Rights
24 August 2022Media ReleaseSurvey shows children need better mental health support
A national survey examining the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic shows children and their families need better support from schools and mental health services. An initiative of the National Children's Commissioner, the survey found that children most commonly seek mental health support from their families, friends and schools. However,… -
Age Discrimination
28 March 2024News story
Robert Fitzgerald commences as Age Discrimination Commissioner
Find out about the Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM’s immediate and long-term priorities to eliminate ageism and age discrimination. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
27 March 2024Media Release
Commissioner June Oscar welcomes Institute funding
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar welcomed the Commonwealth’s funding of the new Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice at the Australian National University. The Institute is the first of its kind in the world and will bring together First Nations researchers to develop and design initiatives to improve outcomes for… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
2 April 2024Media Release
Katie Kiss commences as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Australia’s new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss, said in the wake of the devastating outcome of last year’s Voice referendum, Australia must consider the next steps, and prioritise finding ways to heal and soothe divisions. This includes making meaningful progress in addressing the systemic and structural discrimination experienced by First… -
Children's Rights
19 July 2024Media Release
Australian Human Rights Commission condemns children’s isolation cells
Grave concern over recently released CCTV footage depicting a First Nations child of 13 years of age with an intellectual disability, being forcibly restrained -
Race Discrimination
4 March 2024Media Release
Giridharan Sivaraman commences as Race Discrimination Commissioner
Australia’s new Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman, said a united approach to anti-racism was essential if our society is to better address and ultimately dismantle systemic racial discrimination in all its forms. Commissioner Sivaraman, who commenced in the role today, said his immediate priority will be to progress a National Anti-Racism Framework as a central reference… -
Children's Rights
13 February 2024Media Release
AHRC welcomes announcement of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement today that a new position will be created for a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner. Advocates and peak bodies representing Australia’s First Nations children have long sought a National Commissioner to promote the rights, interests and wellbeing of First Nations children… -
Age Discrimination
25 June 2024News story
Retirement village operators urged to improve elder abuse protections
The Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM, has called on Australia’s retirement living sector to introduce new nationwide strategies to better identify and respond to the abuse of residents. Elder abuse affects one in six older Australians, including those living in retirement villages. The abuse can take many forms, including neglect, financial exploitation, physical… -
Rights and Freedoms
22 February 2023News storyUrgent action needed following termination of UN inspection
The Australian Human Rights Commission says an extraordinary decision to terminate a tour of Australian places of detention by United Nations inspectors reflects Australia’s fragmented approach to protecting the human rights of people in detention. -
Children's Rights
21 July 2022Media Release
Government action needed to protect children in detention
Learn how the Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned about the safety and wellbeing of teenagers who were kept in adult detention centres. -
Rights and Freedoms
29 January 2024Media Release
Statement on the ruling of the International Court of Justice 26 January 2024
The Australian Human Rights Commission reiterates our calls for: human rights to be respected for Palestinians and Israelis; the need to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law; and the rights to protest, freedom of assembly and association. Following the interim ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 26 January, we join calls for: urgently needed basic services… -
Age Discrimination
13 June 2024Media Release
Age Discrimination Commissioner: Australia has a long way to go to end elder abuse
Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM has warned the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is likely to lead to an increased risk of elder abuse with Australia needing to further bolster its efforts to address the nationwide problem. Elder abuse is when harm is done to an older person by someone they know and trust, often a family member. It can take many forms, including neglect,… -
Rights and Freedoms
7 December 2023Media Release
Report tabled: Revitalising Australia’s commitment to human rights
Commonwealth Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP has tabled a report by the Australian Human Rights Commission that calls for a renewed National Human Rights Framework and National Human Rights Act to better protect the rights of all people in Australia. The report, Revitalising Australia’s commitment to human rights, provides 12 recommendations to improve government accountability …