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28 October 2013Book page
4 Proposed policy changes
Prior to the federal election on 7 September 2013, the then Opposition announced a number of policies which it would implement, if elected, to deter asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat and to reform Australia’s refugee status determination process. Some of the key proposals which are relevant to the Commission’s mandate are briefly considered below. 4.1 Temporary Protection Visas… -
Rights and Freedoms
29 January 2024Media ReleaseStatement 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… -
Disability Rights
30 April 2024Webpage
Establishing a Disability Employee Network
Learn about establishing a Disability Employee Network - an employee-led group championing the inclusion of people with disability within their workplace. -
Rights and Freedoms
7 December 2023Media Release
Report tabled: Revitalising Australia’s commitment to human rights
Commonwealth Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP has tabled a report by the Australian Human Rights Commission that calls for a renewed National Human Rights Framework and National Human Rights Act to better protect the rights of all people in Australia. The report, Revitalising Australia’s commitment to human rights, provides 12 recommendations to improve government accountability … -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
9 November 2023Media ReleaseCommission commends High Court ruling on indefinite immigration detention
The Australian Human Rights Commission has welcomed yesterday’s High Court ruling which determined that Australia’s system of indefinite immigration detention is unlawful. The landmark decision overturns almost two decades of the practice by Australian authorities in finding it is unlawful to hold a person in immigration detention when there is no real prospect of them being removed from… -
Race Discrimination
16 March 2021Media ReleaseNational Anti-Racism Framework plan launched
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan has launched a plan to establish a National Anti-Racism Framework and has called on the Federal Government to support and implement it. Commissioner Tan released a concept paper detailing key components that need to be included in the Framework and will soon commence a series of roundtables with peak anti-racism organisations to progress… -
Sex Discrimination
20 May 2016WebpageList of Support Services
If you feel unsafe now, phone 000 . You can contact police regarding any sexual harassment, sexual assault or bullying that involves criminal conduct. If you are participating in the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces and at any stage become distressed or require additional support from someone not involved in the Review, please call the Commonwealth Parliamentary … -
14 December 2012Book page
Report No. 41: El Masri v Commonwealth (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) (2009)
Introduction Part A: Structure of this report Part B: Summary of findings and recommendations Part C: The complaints by Mr El Masri Part D: The Commission’s human rights inquiry and complaints function Part E: Mr El Masri’s detention from 14 November 2002 to 14 October 2005 Part F: The detention of Mr El Masri on 28 November 2006 Part G: The detention of Mr El Masri in MSU Part H: Use… -
Age Discrimination
1 October 2021Opinion pieceGenerational divide? It’s more myth than reality
Although antagonism between the generations is often seen as inevitable, the ‘generational wars’ we hear about are not supported by Australians themselves. A new report by the Australian Human Rights Commission, What’s age got to do with it? A snapshot of ageism across the Australian lifespan, examines what young adult, middle-aged and older Australians really think about age and ageism… -
Commission – General
4 April 2022WebpageGifts and Benefits Register 2020-21
Please see Gifts and Benefits Register for the current gifts and benefits register. The following table lists any gifts or benefits valued above $100 (ex GST) that the Commission or statutory officers have accepted during business operations for the 2020-21 year. Date received Description Estimated Value in $A* Giver Reason for Acceptance Recipient Date recorded 07/07/2020 Interflora hamper… -
Disability Rights
16 April 2024Webpage
Ambassador Profile - Audrey O'Connor
IncludeAbility ambassador Audrey O’Connor is an actor, film maker, screen writer and author. She talks here about employment and disability. -
Rights and Freedoms
31 July 2019Speech
Free and Equal: A National Reform Agenda for Human Rights in Australia for the next decade
Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM addressed the Castan Centre human rights conference on July 26. The topic was ‘Free and Equal’: A National Reform Agenda for Human Rights in Australia for the next decade. Thank you to the Castan Centre, and its Director, Professor Sarah Joseph, for inviting me to speak. Let me begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of… -
Children's Rights
10 August 2017SpeechVoices in Action: Empowering young people for positive change
Speech given at the CREATE Biannual Conference Date: 9.25am, 10 August 2017 at the International Convention Centre, Sydney Introduction Thank you to CREATE Foundation for the invitation to provide an opening address. I too would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my respects to elders past and present… -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageInquiry into Better Support for Carers
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (‘HREOC’) makes this submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth (‘the Committee’) in its Inquiry into Better Support for Carers (‘the Inquiry’). -
14 December 2012Book page
7 Some further aspects of the treatment of the young Indonesians
As discussed in Chapter 1, Australia’s international human rights obligations require that individuals who say that they are children be given the benefit of the doubt and treated as minors unless there is proof to the contrary. In the case of unaccompanied children, this should lead to consideration by the State of what steps need to be taken to ensure their special protection and care. -
14 December 2012Book page
AusHRC 44: Mr Toro-Martinez v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Immigration and Citizenship)
Dear Attorney I attach my report of an inquiry into the complaint made pursuant to section 11(1)(f)(ii) of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) by Mr Toro-Martinez. I have found that the acts and practices of the Commonwealth breached Mr Toro-Martinez’s right not to be subject to arbitrary detention and his right to protection of and freedom from arbitrary interference with… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
Launch of An age of uncertainty (2012)
I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which we gather today. I pay my respects to your elders past, present and future. -
14 December 2012Book page
National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
Australia's Immigration Detention Centres are contradictory to the human rights of the child. The Immigration Detention experience is extremely harmful to children and has effects of traumatisation and re-traumatisation during the Detention experience and continuing after release. Concerning alternatives to Detention, the present options are also not geared towards the best interest of the child. -
14 December 2012Book page
Appendix 1: Case studies
Until December 2009, Ali Jasmin lived with his family in Bala Uring, a small village on the island of Flores, Indonesia. His family bought fish from the local fishermen and sold them at the market. Ali had completed seven years of schooling and worked as a fisherman in a little town not far from his home. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
6 January 2016Project
Immigration detention and human rights
The human rights of people who are in immigration detention are of special concern to the Commission. Liberty is a fundamental human right, recognised in major human rights instruments to which Australia is a party.