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Rights and Freedoms
14 August 2024Media ReleaseCommission supports Bill to recognise adequate housing as a human right
The Australian Human Rights Commission has supported a private member’s bill that would recognise the human right to adequate housing and support improved housing outcomes for all Australians. -
Rights and Freedoms
3 May 2024Opinion piece
We need debate on sensible limits on free speech
When president Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the 1941 State of the Union address he spoke of four essential human freedoms people “everywhere in the world” ought to enjoy. The very first of these was freedom of speech and expression. Free speech was listed first because it is the bedrock of democracy. Salman Rushdie famously described it as “the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is… -
Commission – General
23 August 2024SpeechMelbourne Holocaust Museum Launch of "Critical Thinking is Critical”
Human rights are the key to creating the kind of society we all want to live in. The values at the heart of the work of this museum – humanity, kindness and fairness – are human rights values. A speech by Hugh de Krester. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
24 July 2024WebpageInforming the Agenda Project - About the Project (Participant Information Sheet)
Project Overview / Privacy Collection Statement The Australian Human Rights Commission invites you to contribute to the Informing the Agenda Project. 1. What is the Project about? The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissioner is inviting surveys and submissions as well as engaging in face-to-face and two online engagements to contribute to the Informing the Agenda Project ( Project)… -
Commission – General
7 June 2024Media Release
Hundreds of advocates support push for Australian Human Rights Act
More than 700 human rights advocates from across Australia, including more than 60 eminent experts, have called on the Federal Government to introduce a Human Rights Act at a major national conference in Sydney today. Buoyed by last week’s Parliamentary Joint Committee On Human Rights recommendations, delegates at the two-day Free + Equal Human Rights Conference pledged their support for the… -
Age Discrimination
14 October 2024SpeechAge Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald's Press club address
Why Australia Needs Ageism Awareness Day Shared Presentation with Dr Marlene Krasovitsky from EveryAGE Counts Wednesday, 25 September 2024 Check against delivery Introduction Thank you Marlene. It is a great joy to be here at this significant event. This is my third appearance at the National Press Club, but I'm now about 30 years older than the last time, so it's good to be back as an older… -
Disability Rights
31 July 2024Media ReleaseCommissioner urges stronger government commitment to Disability Royal Commission findings
Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess has urged the Federal Government to make a stronger commitment to the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendations, if the vision for a more inclusive Australia is to ever be achieved. -
Rights and Freedoms
30 May 2024Media Release
Government must seize the moment for a National Human Rights Act
A new parliamentary report recommending a National Human Rights Act as part of a revitalised Human Rights Framework brings Australia closer than ever before to establishing the basic legal protections that Australians need. The report, tabled in Federal Parliament today, includes an example of legislation for a National Human Rights Act, building on decades of work and reinforcing… -
Rights and Freedoms
29 May 2024Opinion piece
In silence, anti-Semitism and racism flourishes
This opinion piece by Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay appeared in The Nightly on Wednesday 27 March 2024. The foundation of universal human rights lies in recognising the inherent dignity and equal rights of every single human being. Human rights can’t be applied selectively. Every Australian, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or any other distinction, has the… -
Rights and Freedoms
29 January 2024Media Release
Statement on the ruling of the International Court of Justice 26 January 2024
The Australian Human Rights Commission reiterates our calls for: human rights to be respected for Palestinians and Israelis; the need to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law; and the rights to protest, freedom of assembly and association. Following the interim ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 26 January, we join calls for: urgently needed basic services… -
Age Discrimination
25 June 2024News story
Retirement village operators urged to improve elder abuse protections
The Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM, has called on Australia’s retirement living sector to introduce new nationwide strategies to better identify and respond to the abuse of residents. Elder abuse affects one in six older Australians, including those living in retirement villages. The abuse can take many forms, including neglect, financial exploitation, physical… -
Race Discrimination
10 July 2024Media ReleaseNew report finds governments at all levels across Australia failing on racism
A new report has found governments and their departments at all levels across the country are failing to adequately identify and address racism – even avoiding the term ‘racism’ – and that approaches across the board are ad-hoc, disjointed, reactive, and lacking coordination between governments, agencies and sectors. -
Commission – General
3 September 2024Speech
Law Institute of Victoria Legal Sector Dinner
Our legal system frequently provides unequal access to justice, with varying standards based on one’s identity, location, and financial status. Rights granted by law are ineffective if they cannot be enforced. A speech by Hugh de Krester. -
Commission – General
4 July 2024E-bulletin (Monthly)
July 2024: Commission News | President's letter
Dear friends, I am pleased to report the Free + Equal Conference was a resounding success. A big thank you to everyone who participated in these timely and significant discussions about human rights and the urgent need for a Human Rights Act in Australia. A snapshot of the conference: 700+ delegates pledged support for a national Human Rights Act 60+ speakers 1200+ attendees over two days 12… -
Employers15 March 2024Speech
Leadership Recipes
Defence Estate and Infrastructure Group Annual Leadership Conference Canberra Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human RIghts Commission Acknowledgement I first wish to acknowledge the Ngunnawal people who are the traditional custodians of this land, and to pay my respects to Ngunnawal Elders past, present and emerging. I also acknowledge any Indigenous guests… -
Technology and Human Rights
19 December 2023SubmissionMilitary Technologies and Human Rights
Learn more about how lethal autonomous weapons systems and other military technologies threaten human rights. -
Technology and Human Rights
19 December 2023Submission
Human Rights Impacts of Autonomous Weaponry
Learn about how lethal autonomous weapons systems violate international human rights and humanitarian law and why they must be regulated. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
11 July 2024Speech
EMRIP - The impacts of First Nations engagement with justice systems
Statement from Katie Kiss at the 17th EMRIP session which advises on Indigenous rights and participation. -
Commission – General
6 March 2024Media Release
The escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and addressing the impacts in our communities
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, delivered a powerful statement last week raising the urgency of the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “The war in Gaza must end. Clear violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws, including war crimes and possibly other crimes under international law, have been committed by all parties. It is time – well past… -
Race Discrimination
2 July 2024Speech
The role of NHRIs in promoting equality and non-discrimination
The role of NHRIs in promoting equality and non-discrimination, with a focus on Africans and people of African descent Regional Meeting for Asia and the Pacific region on the International Decade for People of African Descent President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM Introduction and context I would like to thank the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, for his opening