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Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012SpeechHuman Rights in Contemporary Australia: Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2001)
Despite its rather grand title, this presentation will be a relatively modest attempt to set out the key challenges for human rights in Australia as I see them at the outset of my term as Human Rights Commissioner. Let us begin with a quick survey of the state of human rights internationally and in Australia today. -
Commission – General
13 March 2023Opinion pieceA national Human Rights Act needs to be introduced in Australia
Opinion piece by Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, first published in the Canberra Times. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
USING THE LAW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Graeme Innes AM (2007)
Scarlett Finney was only six when she saw the brochures for the Hills Grammar School, set in park-like grounds in Sydney's outer suburbs. She indicated her keenness to attend "the school in the bush". Her parents were prepared to pay the fees, and saw the setting and curriculum as providing her with a great education. But the school refused her enrolment due to the… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
Seventh International Conference for National Human Rights Institutions
Torture and various forms of terrorism have been practiced throughout history, though never on the scale we are now confronted with. The first visual records of police interrogation were discovered in a four thousand year old tomb in ancient Egypt. Since the pharaohs there have been many refinements in methods of inducing physical pain and gathering intelligence, most notably during the Spanish… -
Complaint Information Service14 December 2012Publication
Alternative Dispute Resolution in education: case studies in resolving complaints of Disability Discrimination (2002)
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) came into effect in March 1993. The Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against people with a disability in many areas of public life. The purpose of the Act was to 'assist people with disabilities to exercise their rights as Australian citizens'(3) in recognition that 'people with disabilities are entitled to the same rights and same opportunities… -
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. -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2007: Chapter 6
‘CATSI’ is an acronym for the Commonwealth’s Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth), which came into effect on 1 July 2007. The Act ‘primarily provides for the incorporation and regulation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations’. It replaces the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 (Cth) (the ACA Act). -
26 March 2014Book page
Chapter 7: Principle 4: Greater flexibility will strengthen the ADF
Key findings of Review The ADF Review found that flexibility is imperative for many Defence members, and that a lack of flexible work options – be that real or perceived – was acting as a serious impediment to retention. The ADF Review reported that in all three Services: There is an increased propensity for women to leave the ADF at points that coincide with a typical point where personnel … -
Commission – General
1 August 2022Media Release
Commission urges passage of new Bill to strengthen integrity
The Australian Human Rights Commission is urging all federal parliamentarians to support the passage of the new Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment (Selection and Appointment) Bill 2022. Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, has welcomed the introduction to Parliament of the new Bill by Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, last week. The… -
Rights and Freedoms
17 January 2019Speech
2018 Human Rights Awards
14 December 2018 Westin Hotel, Sydney (Check against delivery) [Thank you for your warm welcome to country] Introduction I begin by paying my respects to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation— to their elders, past and present, and to the future generations; and I particularly acknowledge all Indigenous guests joining us here today. On behalf of the Australian Human Rights Commission may I… -
Sex Discrimination
5 March 2021Media ReleaseStatement 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… -
Sex Discrimination
7 February 2020Publication
Community Guide to the Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report 2020
Read the message from Kate Jenkins urging all employers to join her in creating safe, gender-equal and inclusive workplaces, no matter their industry or size. -
14 December 2012Book page
Getting serious - Our experiences in elevating the representation of women in leadership - A letter from business leaders (2011)
In our companies we see progress from building an understanding of gender diversity and taking the actions described in Phase 1. However, for most of us, these alone do not meet our aspirations. The next transition occurs when we move from an interest in elevating women in leadership, to an understanding that we must actively drive change in the same way that we do for any transformational… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
President speech: ‘How could a Human Rights Act lead to better Government?’
I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Ngunnawal peoples, and pay my respect to their elders past and present. -
Sex Discrimination
14 December 2012Speech
Peeling the inequality onion
This paper considers national and international legislative and other provisions regarding equality for women in the labour market. Australia ranks second to Sweden in terms of pay equity. It is argued that over the last two decades of global shifts to labour market decentralism and deregulation, Australian women have fared relatively well. Three fundamental reasons stand out: -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
28 November 2022Media ReleaseNew report sets the stage for First Nations women to lead response to family and community violence
The report is an outcome of the recent Wiyi Yani U Thangani First Nations Women's Safety Policy Forum which was held virtually in September and which brought together over 150 participants from all around the country, the majority being First Nations women. -
14 December 2012Book page
Commission Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
This submission to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission's Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention Centres is the result of the work and contributions of many people. -
Children's Rights
16 November 2021Media ReleaseProposal to raise the age does not go far enough
All 16 of Australia’s children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates say a commitment by state attorneys-general to develop a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 does not go far enough. In a joint statement, Australian children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates said: “We are pleased that some jurisdictions have for the first time indicated they will look at… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
26 July 2019PublicationMs BK, Ms CO and Mr DE on behalf of themselves and their families v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Home Affairs)
The Australian Human Rights Commission has conducted an inquiry into three complaints arising from the practice of the Australian Government of sending to Nauru families with young children who arrived in Australia seeking asylum. -
Rights and Freedoms
11 September 2020Submission
Review of Australian Federal Police Powers (2020)
The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) makes this submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) in relation to its ‘Review of AFP Powers’.