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Legal
Commission welcomes ALRC report on religious schools and anti-discrimination laws
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the tabling of the report by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) on Religious Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws. The ALRC’s recommendations would ensure that students and teachers are protected from discrimination on the...
Sex Discrimination
National Press Club Address: Changing Laws, Changing Behaviours, Changing Lives
Speech by Australia's National Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, to the National Press Club on 30 November, 2022.
Rights and Freedoms
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...
Commission – General
‘Bringing rights home—mapping an agenda on human rights in Australia
‘Bringing rights home—mapping an agenda on promoting, protecting and fulfilling human rights in Australia Michael Kirby Justice Oration 2021 Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission The annual Kirby orations pay tribute to Michael Kirby’s commitment to...
Rights and Freedoms
The Perils of Independence
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s role in protecting human rights in Australia Sir Ronald Wilson Lecture 2021 Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission Acknowledgements Thank you Matthew McGuire for your welcome to country and Kendra Turner as MC. I...
Commission – General
Human Rights Day Oration 2020: Rosemary Kayess and Nas Campanella
The 2020 Human Rights Day Oration was delivered by leading disability rights advocate Rosemary Kayess, winner of the 2019 Human Rights Medal, and a contributor to the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Ms Kayess discussed the social transformation of...
Sex Discrimination
The Beijing Platform for Action, 25 years on: Progress, Retreat and the Future of Women's Rights
Beijing Platform for Action at 25: Progress, Retreat and the Future of Women's Rights Opening Address Thursday 3 December, 10:00 am Kate Jenkins, Sex Discrimination Commissioner Hello everyone. My name is Kate Jenkins, and I have had the honour of serving as Australia’s Sex Discrimination...
Commission – General
August ebulletin
We have heard the words human rights quite a lot in recent weeks, in varied and sometimes inaccurate settings. Measures to protect our health and safety must be balanced with our rights and freedoms, but if there was ever a time to articulate where that line is, it would be now. Which is why last...
Commission – General
Community update: COVID-19 (June 2020)
Commission News June 2020 Commissioner update COVID-19 Dear friends, The last few weeks have seen a gradual return to some of our pre-pandemic freedoms in many parts of Australia. While physical distancing remains a vital element to maintaining low infection rates, it is clear that we welcome...
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