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6 February 2015Book page
Appendix 1 – Review of detention policy and practices 2004–2014
1.1 Overview 1.2 Key findings and recommendations from A last resort? 1.3 Key legislative and policy changes 1.4 New Directions in Detention policy 1.5 Third country processing 1.6 Indefinite detention on Christmas Island 1.7 Rapid offshore processing after September election 2013 1.8 Other policy decisions 1.9 Implementation of policy 1.10 Numbers and length of detention of children 2004 –… -
Rights and Freedoms17 January 2019Speech
Echoes of breaking glass: reflections on Kristallnacht
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY We know the basic facts of Kristallnacht. On the 9th and 10th of November 1938, mobs attacked Jews in Germany and neighbouring states. They did so freely; without restraint. Many Jews were killed, many more were injured, and many more than that were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Jewish businesses were destroyed; schools and cemeteries vandalised. Over 1000 … -
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… -
Rights and Freedoms4 March 2023Publication
A National Human Rights Act for Australia
Australia is the only liberal democracy in the world that does not have a national act or charter of rights that explains what people’s basic rights are and how they can be protected. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice16 March 2022News story
Urgent funding needed to support Indigenous community-led health solutions
The Close the Gap campaign has called for an urgent investment in community-led health services to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the country. The 2022 Close the Gap Report: Transforming Power – Voices for Generational Change has 12 recommendations for large-scale transformation and systemic reform to avoid further preventable deaths and… -
Race Discrimination17 March 2020Media Release
Commemorating one year since the Christchurch mosque attack
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan and Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow have commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Christchurch mosque attack. In a joint statement, they said: “The Christchurch massacre was deeply traumatic for New Zealand’s Muslim community. That trauma has echoed throughout the Muslim community in Australia and internationally.” “One year… -
Commission – General14 December 2012Speech
In defence of human rights
I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional country of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and pay my respects to their elders past and present. -
Commission – General14 December 2012Speech
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I feel very honoured to have been invited to contribute to this symposium. As a theme for today's discussion, I have chosen the notions of regionalisation and responsibility within Asia and the Pacific. I believe that the ability to accept responsibility for our neighbourhood, and to generate cooperative regional dialogues and actions to fulfill that responsibility will be the key to meeting the… -
14 December 2012Book page
Annual Report 1999-2000: Human Rights
The experience of people in rural and remote Australia has always featured prominently in the Commission's work. During the reporting year the Commission undertook two major projects addressing the human rights of children and young people in rural and remote Australia. -
Sex Discrimination14 December 2012Speech
The Hidden Business Problem: Domestic Violence
Thank you, Bob, for that generous introduction and warm welcome. And thank you to G&T for hosting this event. I am so pleased to be able to join you this evening for this year’s Vincent Fairfax Speaker Series. I thought I might never make it – for the last two days I have had the privilege of being on-board the warship HMAS Sydney as it undertook war exercises offshore –… -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Speech
Round Table on Information Access For People with Print Disabilities
One day a few years ago I went in to wake my son. I told him that it was good to get up in the morning, to which he grumpily replied, "yes, but dad, it's even better to stay in bed". -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Speech
Understanding Disability Discrimination
In some ways I think I have been asked to teach my grandmother to suck eggs (though I am sure my own venerable forebear did no such thing!). I would say that there is no industry more skilled in the art of disability discrimination than the insurance and superannuation industry. Before you decide I am irretrievably biased against your work let me explain that, of course, I understand such… -
Commission – General7 November 2023Publication
Annual Report 2022-23
The Australian Human Rights Commission has been through a period of great change this financial year. Dedicated focus on governance enhancements and improving financial management has placed the Commission in a more positive financial position than it has been in recent years. -
Sex Discrimination27 August 2024Media Release
Ending gender-based violence: do not overlook older women and women with disability
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin states that Australia needs to take threats of gendered violence as seriously as it takes terrorist threats. -
14 December 2012Book page
Section 12 - Other actions that could be taken by the Australian Government to protect LGBTI people in Australia - Addressing sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity discrimination: Consultation Report (2011)
The consultation received a number of suggestions about other ways in which the Australian Government could protect the human rights of LGBTI people in Australia. Many participants argued that while anti-discrimination legislation is an important step towards equality, it is essential that it is accompanied by other actions. Suggestions were often informed by personal experiences of… -
14 December 2012Book page
Bringing them Home - Chapter 4
From 1835, when the European occupation of Victoria commenced, until the 1880s government policy was one of segregation of Indigenous people on reserves. These were mainly controlled by missions. -
14 December 2012Book page
Bringing them Home - Chapter 19
In most cases of forcible removal government officials and agents were responsible for the removal under legislation or regulations. However, there were early cases of removal of children by missionaries without the consent of the parents. In Victoria the absence of government oversight of welfare services enabled churches and other non-government agencies to remove children from their families… -
Commission – General14 December 2012Speech
ADR: an essential tool for human rights
I would like to begin by acknowledging the Elders and Traditional Owners of Darwin, the Larrakia People, and to thank them for the opportunity to visit this beautiful part of the country. After that very heartfelt welcome to country, I feel very privileged to be here this morning. -
Commission – General14 December 2012Webpage
Violence, Harassment and Bullying and Homelessness
Violence, harassment and bullying can be both a cause and consequence of homelessness. This means that a person may become homeless as a result of family violence and/or be exposed to violence, harassment and bullying because they are homeless. Violence, harassment and bullying are unacceptable in any context and violate a range of human rights. -
LGBTIQ+14 December 2012Webpage
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Equality
Everyone has the right to be respected and safe,[2] regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age.[3] Violence, harassment and bullying are violations of these fundamental human rights.