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14 December 2012Book page
Mandatory detention laws in Australia (2001)
This paper gives a brief overview of the mandatory detention laws currently operating in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. It examines their operation and gives some insights into how they have impacted on particular groups including young people and Indigenous Australians. It gives a critique of mandatory detention by reference to Australia's international human rights obligations,… -
14 December 2012Book page
Indigenous Deaths in Custody
Paul Blackmore’s photographs illustrate this report. They depict an inspired local initiative. Five years ago the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody drew attention to the appalling conditions in police lock-ups in rural Australia. The cells in Murgon, three hours north-west of Brisbane, were typical - dirty, disgusting, depressing. Detective Sergeant Ryan and Senior Sergeant… -
5 February 2015Book page
13 Continuing impacts on children once released
13.1 How are children faring once released? 13.2 Continuing impacts of detention on infants and preschoolers 13.3 Continuing impacts of detention on primary school aged children 13.4 Continuing impacts of detention on teenagers 13.5 Ongoing impacts of long term detention 13.6 Findings regarding the continuing impacts of detention Both my children are nervous. They were scared of everything… -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageReform of Australian Government Administration (2009)
The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) makes this submission to the Advisory Group on Reform of Australian Government Administration in response to the discussion paper Reform of Australian Government Administration: building the world’s best public service (the discussion paper). -
Sex Discrimination
14 December 2012SpeechPeeling 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: -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechThe Role of Public Inquiries in eliminating disability discrimination
Introduction Distinctive features of the DDA Definition of disability Standards Limits of standards Action plans Focus of legislation on long term and large scale change Exemptions Complaint processes Courts and the role of anti-discrimination agencies -
Children's Rights
14 December 2012WebpageChildren and young people
The Commission has identified a range of risk factors, vulnerable groups and protective factors that can have an impact on the levels of violence, harassment and bullying experienced by children and young people. These factors may also affect the level of resilience that individuals, families, schools and communities have to tackling these issues. -
Disability Rights
1 September 2018Webpage
Disability Rights: Inquiries and consultations
This page is the main entry point for information about and participation in current public inquiry and consultation processes by the Commission in the disability rights area. -
14 December 2012Book page
What is the Racial Hatred Act?
Plain English guide to the Racial Hatred Act, which extends the coverage of the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) to address racially offensive or abusive behaviour. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2006: Chapter 3: Addressing the fundamental flaw of the new arrangements for Indigenous affairs – the absence of principled engagement with Indigenous peoples
This is the third successive Social Justice Report to report on the implementation of the new arrangements for Indigenous affairs at the federal government level. The past two Social Justice Reports have emphasised the importance of governments ensuring the effective participation of Indigenous peoples in decision making that affects our lives. This includes the development of policy, program… -
Disability Rights
20 February 2014Speech
Launch of Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Action Plan
Sarah - not her real name - studied law at university. Not only did she earn a good law degree, she won the university medal. She also won competitions for mooting- conducting mock trials for those of you smart enough not to have chosen law as your profession. She could not get a job - or even an interview - with the Australian public service because she has a significant disability, including… -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee
A strong and independent national human rights organisation is crucial to promote and protect fundamental values of fairness, equality, tolerance and non-discrimination. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechAn update on the work of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC)
I would like to acknowledge the Larrakia people on whose traditional land we meet today. I would also like to thank the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission for hosting this event at such short notice. What I plan to do today is to talk briefly about a few of the issues which are currently on HREOC’s agenda. The first issue is HREOC’s Same-Sex Same Entitlements Inquiry. -
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… -
14 December 2012Book page
A last resort? - Summary Guide: Temporary Protection Visas
Following a successful application for asylum, children - either individually or as part of their family group - are generally released from detention into the community on a three-year temporary protection visa (TPV). -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Deafness Forum Hearing Access Seminar
I always like to begin my presentations with a humorous anecdote or joke of some kind. For one thing, it lets me know that someone is actually listening, and it also lulls the audience into a false sense of security for the dry parts to follow. So as part of my preparation for this morning's discussion of disability discrimination law in Australia, I decided to find an answer to the important… -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Human Rights of Older Australians
In February 2003 the Commission provided its response to the Commonwealth Government's Information Paper containing its proposals for new Commonwealth age discrimination legislation. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Bill to remove Commissioner
I write to alert you to a Federal Government proposal to abolish the post of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner (together with the posts of Race Discrimination Commissioner, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Disability Discrimination Commissioner and Human Rights Commissioner). Those interested in this matter may wish to make a submission to the Senate Legal and… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
Site navigation
The topic for discussion is the role of human rights in good governance. Along the way I will touch on HREOC’s perceptions of cultural change at DIMA, legal roadblocks to cultural change, and the importance of human rights principles in the law and policy making process. -
13 November 2014Book page
Highlights of the year
Key achievements Information and Complaints Services In 2013-14, the Commission assisted 19 688 people and organisations – up 16% on the previous year – by providing information about the law, assisting with problem solving and facilitating referrals to other services. We received 2223 complaints of alleged discrimination and breaches of human rights and finalised 2178 complaints. We…