Refine results
-
LGBTIQ+
31 March 2025News storySex Discrimination Commissioner celebrates Trans Day of Visibility
On International Trans Day of Visibility, the Australian Human Rights Commission recognises and affirms the rights, dignity, and contributions of trans and gender diverse people. -
Commission – General
4 March 2025E-bulletin (Monthly)President's message | March 2025
We must work together to address the scourge of racism. The Director-General of ASIO, Mike Burgess, said in Parliament last week that “in terms of threats to life” antisemitism is ASIO’s top priority. He said he believed it was the first time a form of racism was the agency’s highest priority. The assessment underscored the intensification and severity of the attacks against the Jewish… -
Race Discrimination
3 March 2025News story
We must not risk going backwards on racism
Our education system is built for white knowledge and our workplaces elevate white people into leadership by default. This is not just a mere inconvenience for people who experience racism – these systems cause harm to communities, so that those who benefit can thrive. -
Children's Rights
27 February 2025News story
Applications open: National Children's Commissioner
Applications are now open for the National Children's Commissioner role. The National Children’s Commissioner leads the Commission’s work about the rights of children. This work includes: promoting understanding and acceptance of, and compliance with, the Convention on the Rights of the Child promoting discussion and awareness of issues affecting children undertaking research and education -
Rights and Freedoms
19 February 2025News story
Explainer: New national and NSW hate crime laws
The Australian Government and NSW Government recently updated their hate crime laws. This explainer is designed to help readers better understand these changes and the potential human rights implications. -
Commission – General
4 February 2025E-bulletin (Monthly)
President's message | February 2025
UN decisions confirm Australia's human rights obligations to refugees and people seeking asylum sent offshore The Refugee Convention is the international community’s commitment to work together to protect people fleeing violence and persecution. When Australia agreed to be bound by the Refugee Convention and its 1967 protocol, we agreed to protect refugees who came to our country seeking… -
Age Discrimination
11 December 2024News story
New project to tackle financial elder abuse
The Commission is bringing together representatives from the banking and financial services sector and peak community organisations to work together to improve the prevention and response to elder abuse. -
Commission – General
10 December 2024E-bulletin (Monthly)
President's message | December 2024
It's Human Rights Day; a day to reflect on human rights challenges and progress. 76 years ago today, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, one of the pinnacles of human achievement. In adopting the Declaration after the horrors of World War 2, the international community said, “never again”. The Declaration lists 30 rights that are essential for all of us… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
27 November 2024News storyExplainer: Commission does not support the Migration Amendment Bill
The Australian Government has introduced new migration laws into Parliament to expand search and seizure powers in immigration detention centres. The Commission does not support the Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2024 -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
25 November 2024News story
Submission on the Migration Amendment Bill 2024
The Australian Human Rights Commission has made a submission to the Parliamentary Committee that is considering the Migration Amendment Bill 2024. -
Children's Rights
21 November 2024News story
New animation – ‘Do things with the information we tell you’
In the Supporting Quality Engagement with Children 2023 Final Report, children and young people said they want to see action based on what they told us about their lived experience. -
Children's Rights
21 November 2024News story
Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s in Australia
The Australian Government is proposing laws that will require technology companies to restrict individuals under the age of 16 years from accessing their social media platforms. -
Commission – General
6 November 2024E-bulletin (Monthly)
President's message | November 2024
Dear friends, I’m pleased to share the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Annual Report 2023-24 which has been tabled in the Australian Parliament. In my first three months in this role, one of the things that has struck me is the breadth and depth of the Commission’s work. Our Annual Report highlights this. One of the Commission’s core functions is providing access to justice for people… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
1 November 2024News storyEnding QLD Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry is harmful and divisive
The Queensland Government’s decision to abolish the state’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and repeal its Path to Treaty Act marks a major step backwards for First Nations rights, says Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss. -
Rights and Freedoms
30 October 2024News story
COVID Review a good start, but human toll must be recognised
The findings of a federal review into the country’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted more needs to be done by all levels of governments to acknowledge the human cost of the pandemic response and ultimately restore public trust, says Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay. -
Race Discrimination
16 October 2024News story
National consultations show widespread, systemic racism damaging lives
Racism is commonplace and normalised in Australia and can affect almost every part of a person’s daily life, according to a new report for the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). National consultations with diverse and marginalised communities revealed first-hand accounts from hundreds of people who have experienced racism. -
Children's Rights
11 October 2024News story
NT Government urged not to lower age of criminal responsibility
The National Children’s Commissioner and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Commissioner have urged the Northern Territory Government to reverse its plan next week to introduce a new law to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to ten years. -
Rights and Freedoms
9 October 2024News story
Statement: Inquiry into antisemitism at Australian Universities
President Hugh de Kretser gave at opening statement at the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into the proposed Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill (2024) -
Commission – General
9 October 2024E-bulletin (Monthly)
October 2024: Commission News | President's message
Dear friends, Australia is one of the safest, most stable and prosperous countries on the planet. For most of us, most of the time, it is a great place to live. For many Australians, human rights violations are things that happen to other people in other places, often overseas. This can lead to complacency about our own rights protection and the importance of protecting the rights of those… -
Children's Rights
12 September 2024News story
Children's Commissioner welcomes Senate Inquiry into child justice
National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds has welcomed the establishment of a Federal Senate Inquiry into Australia’s child justice system, saying it has come at a critical time to prevent further systemic failures harming children and young people.