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Sex Discrimination
23 March 2022News storyMedia statement: Release of 2021 National Student Safety Survey Report
A statement from Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins: Sexual harassment and sexual assault remain far too prevalent in the Australian community. Women, young people and intersectional groups face unacceptably higher risk of this conduct at home, at work, online and in education, including in universities. The Australian university sector took a leadership position when it came… -
Children's Rights
9 September 2022SpeechEvery child, in every community, needs a fair go. Shining a light on supporting children to grow up safe and supported
His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC, Governor-General of Australia, and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley. Thank you for launching National Child Protection Week 2022 and for hosting us today. I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respect to their elders, past, present and emerging, and to all Aboriginal and… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
5 August 2020Media ReleaseStatement on Christmas Island immigration detention
The Australian Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned that the Australian Border Force plans to re-open the immigration detention facility at Christmas Island. The Commission has carried out inspections of Australia's onshore and offshore immigration detention facilities for many years. The Commission's advice has been consistent: Christmas Island is not an appropriate place for an -
Race Discrimination
30 March 2019SpeechRace Discrimination Commissioner, Mr Chin Tan, on Nelson Mandela Day
Thank you for the very kind welcome. May I extend particular thanks to the Nelson Mandela Day Commemorative Committee (NMDCC) for the invitation and for having me here this evening. Let me start by acknowledging the traditional custodians of this land where we gather tonight, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. I would… -
Children's Rights
16 November 2021Media Release
Proposal to raise the age does not go far enough
All 16 of Australia’s children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates say a commitment by state attorneys-general to develop a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 does not go far enough. In a joint statement, Australian children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates said: “We are pleased that some jurisdictions have for the first time indicated they will look at… -
Children's Rights
30 October 2020Media Release
Anne Hollonds commences as National Children’s Commissioner
Anne Hollonds has commenced in her role as Australia’s new National Children’s Commissioner. Commissioner Hollonds emphasised the need for greater recognition of the importance of childhood in Australia. “Childhood is quite rightly described as critically important for people's social, health and economic outcomes, but the value of childhood is not only about the future adult that a child… -
Rights and Freedoms
17 January 2019Media ReleaseEncryption law falls short on rights safeguards
Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow warns significant threats to human rights remain despite some improvements to Australia’s encryption law. “Police and security agencies must be equipped with robust powers to protect our national security. However, these powers need independent oversight, to ensure any impact on our human rights is proportionate to the relevant risks,” said… -
Disability Rights
2 May 2024Webpage
Writing a resume and cover letter
Learn about writing a resumé and cover letter, including when you might, or might not want to share information about disability. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
9 July 2019SpeechIntervention on Climate Change Impacts in the Torres Strait
I am Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. I make this statement on behalf of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Australia’s ‘A status’ NHRI.’ I want to acknowledge the OHCHR for its report and for highlighting some of the adverse effects of climate change on Indigenous women. I would also like to acknowledge the Australian Government for… -
Children's Rights
12 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… -
Technology and Human Rights
2 July 2023Opinion pieceAustralia needs to be a world leader in ethical AI
Find out more about how Australia can be a leader in responsible and ethical artificial intelligence. -
Sex Discrimination
28 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%). -
Disability Rights
26 April 2024Webpage
Hosting accessible and inclusive online meetings and events
Learn how to prepare for, run and follow up on online meetings and events that are accessible for everyone. -
Sex Discrimination
7 February 2020Publication
Community Guide to the Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report 2020
Read the message from Kate Jenkins urging all employers to join her in creating safe, gender-equal and inclusive workplaces, no matter their industry or size. -
Rights and Freedoms
22 April 2021Media Release
Greater scrutiny of emergency powers needed
The Australian Human Rights Commission has called for greater accountability to be embedded in laws that extend the Commonwealth’s power in the event of national emergencies. In its submission to a Senate inquiry examining the National Emergency Declaration Act 2020, the Commission recommended five changes to legislation that was enacted by parliament in 2020. Human Rights Commissioner… -
Rights and Freedoms
3 March 2023Speech
Human Rights in the time of Covid
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as a public health emergency tested national readiness in a federal system to contain the spread of the disease effectively and required very quick action by governments. -
Commission – General
22 May 2024WebpageParliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights (PJCHR) is established by the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011. The committee's main function is to examine all bills and legislative instruments for compatibility with human rights, and to report to both Houses of Parliament on its findings. It also has a function to examine existing legislation and an inquiry function for… -
Age Discrimination
30 September 2020Media ReleaseCommission launches elder abuse awareness campaign
The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched an elder abuse awareness campaign on the International Day of Older Persons (1 October 2020). The campaign includes a hard-hitting video that reveals the ‘red flag phrases’ that can often indicate an older person is experiencing elder abuse. Pre-COVID-19, the Australian Institute of Family Studies said it was likely that between 2% and 14%… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
8 July 2019Speech
GBK Symposium on Regional Autonomy and Independence Gur A Baradharaw Kod (GBK) Torres Strait Sea and Land Council Torres Strait Islander Corporation
Introduction Thank you Milton for your words of welcome. Thank you also for the blessings for a fruitful day of sharing through listening to each other and hearing each other’s’ words. Jalangurru Mani ngarri balanggarri. Yaningi warangira ngindaji yuwa muwayi ingirranggu, Kaurareg yani U. Balanggarri wadjirragali jarraa nhingi – gamali ngindaji yawu muwayi nyirrami ngarri thangani. Ngalabani… -
Rights and Freedoms
15 March 2024Speech
Free + Equal: Australian Conversation on Human Rights Closing Remarks
Closing Remarks Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission Check against delivery For a start, thank you Julia, Dr Baird for that wonderful MC-ing of the day. What an array of fantastic insights! I said at the beginning that it would be challenging, insightful and exciting and I'm sure that, from my perspective, it's been every one of those things…