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The Australian Human Rights Commission and KPMG Banarra are today launching their first of five sector specific guides to help Australian businesses understand and manage their modern slavery risks. Property, Construction and Modern Slavery: Practical responses to managing risks to people, is a practical guide to help this industry respond effectively to the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)…

Media Statement from Alastair McEwin, Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner I welcome today’s release of the draft terms of reference for the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability and the government’s commitment to establish a Royal Commission. I am pleased that the draft terms of reference propose a broad scope for the Royal

The Commission has today released recommendations for how Australia should implement the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). Implementing OPCAT in Australia is the final step in the Commission’s consultation process with civil society, inspectorate and monitoring bodies, and a number of state and territory…

A former Socceroo, a disability rights activist, the author of best-seller Dark Emu, a leading business consultant, and a campaigning lawyer from Queensland are waiting to hear if they will be awarded the prestigious Human Rights Award medal on Friday. The winners in all nine categories of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s annual Human Rights Awards will be announced today at a…

The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM will today announce plans for a National Summit on Human Rights. Professor Croucher will announce the National Summit at the 2018 Human Rights Awards at Sydney’s Westin Hotel. “The National Summit, to be held mid-2019, will promote awareness of the importance of human rights in 21st century…

The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) welcomes the release of the Religious Freedom Review. The Commission looks forward to assessing any legislative proposals when they are released in order to ensure that they appropriately balance human rights. “It is critical that any new laws do not create new forms of discrimination.” “Australia must protect the rights of all people, including…

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…

The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the publication of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Following the findings and recommendations in the report, released today, the Commission would like to see the human rights of older people embedded in the planning, provision and monitoring of aged care services in Australia. “Older people have the…

The Australian Human Rights Commission has welcomed the COVIDSafe App as an important public health initiative, which can help protect the rights of Australians to health and life. The App also opens the possibility of easing restrictions on other human rights, such as freedom of movement and freedom of association. Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow said, “The Commission welcomes the…

The Australian Human Rights Commission supports reform to improve protections against religious discrimination for all people in Australia. While supporting much of the draft Religious Discrimination Bill, the Commission urges that the Bill be amended to avoid limiting other human rights and overriding existing anti-discrimination laws. “The Commission has advocated for more than 20 years…