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Commission – General
7 April 2022News storyStatement on international accreditation of the Australian Human Rights Commission
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s status as a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) has been reviewed by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) – the international standards body. This review, conducted every five years, considers whether the Commission continues to meet the UN Principles on National Institutions (commonly known as the Paris Principles),… -
Sex Discrimination
14 May 2019WebpageChange the course - 18 month milestone
Track progress in university sexual harassment reforms with the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 18-month milestone report on ‘Change the Course’. -
Race Discrimination
17 November 2022Publication
National Anti-Racism Framework Scoping Report
In March 2021, the Commission released a proposal for a National Anti-Racism Framework in response to enduring community calls for national action after heightened experiences of racism and racial inequality in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. -
Commission – General
4 April 2023News story
Human rights leaders share lessons from across the globe
For the first time since 2019, the Australian Human Rights Commission was able to participate in person at the annual Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) meetings in Geneva. Over the week of 13-17 March, Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM and Chief Executive Leanne Smith joined colleagues from around the globe to share experiences, lessons… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
7 December 2020Publication
Wiyi Yani U Thangani Report (2020)
Our women and girls' voices are vital to paving the way for a future I believe all Australians want, deserve and have a right to. Read this report, and listen to their voices. -
Technology and Human Rights
15 May 2023Opinion piece‘Weaponised' AI an existential threat to truth, human rights
This opinion piece by Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay appeared in The Australian on Monday 15 May 2023. In George Orwell's 1984, the Ministry of Truth exercises absolute control of information according to The Party ethos, “Who controls the past, controls the future: who controls the present, controls the past”. If the Ministry of Truth existed today, a more accurate slogan would… -
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… -
Rights and Freedoms
11 September 2020SubmissionReview 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’. -
Rights and Freedoms
16 October 2023Media Release
Finalists announced for 2023 Australian Human Rights Awards
Monday 16 October 2023: A diverse array of people and organisations from across Australia have been selected as finalists for this year’s Australian Human Rights Awards, the country’s premier national event for honouring and celebrating Australia’s human rights heroes. The 21 finalists were selected from over 260 nominations across five categories, including the prestigious Australian Human… -
Rights and Freedoms
17 June 2022Speech
Reflections on women and human rights
Thank you to the Lyceum Club for inviting me to speak, and to Christine Yeats and Judith White for your warm introduction. I recall that for my late mother, Dr Amy McGrath OAM, the revival of the Sydney Lyceum Club was very special. In sorting through papers of my parents, following the passing of my father, the Hon Dr Frank McGrath AM OBE, I found mother’s Lyceum Club card, membership… -
Commission – General
3 June 2020E-bulletin (Monthly)
Community update: COVID-19 (June 2020)
Commission News June 2020 Commissioner update COVID-19 Dear friends, The last few weeks have seen a gradual return to some of our pre-pandemic freedoms in many parts of Australia. While physical distancing remains a vital element to maintaining low infection rates, it is clear that we welcome the opportunity to visit loved ones, travel and socialise. The Lucky Country, a term used favourably… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
5 August 2019Speech
Garma: Voices speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO addressed Garma in the Northern Territory on August 3. The topic was 'Voices'. Jalangurru lanygu balangarri. Yaningi yatharra ngindaji yuwa muwayi ingirranggu, Gumatj, Yolngu yani U. Galwurruy, djawa, Djapirri and your family thank you for hosting us. I acknowledge the Yolngu Gamatji people of the land we gather… -
Race Discrimination
8 May 2019Media Release
National Consultations with Australian Muslims
The Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan will today announce a series of national consultations with the Muslim community in Australia about their experiences of hate speech and violence and about their ideas for change. Commissioner Tan will make the announcement at a Harmony Day Event in Sydney. “In the aftermath of the horrific attacks in Christchurch, I want to hear the voices of… -
Technology and Human Rights
16 May 2023Opinion piece
Big tech is Ignoring the Human Cost Behind the Rise of ChatGPT
Read more about how big technology companies' race to develop generative AI products is threatening human rights. -
Rights and Freedoms
17 January 2019Media Release
Religious Freedom announcement
The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) welcomes the release of the Religious Freedom Review. The Commission looks forward to assessing any legislative proposals when they are released in order to ensure that they appropriately balance human rights. “It is critical that any new laws do not create new forms of discrimination.” “Australia must protect the rights of all people, including… -
Rights and Freedoms
2 September 2019Media Release
Commissioners call for compassionate approach for Tamil family
Australian Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell and Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow have today written to Minister David Coleman, calling for an urgent and compassionate resolution for the Tamil family detained in immigration detention on Christmas Island. “Given their connection to Australia, showing compassion and allowing the family to stay together in the only community the… -
Commission – General
30 June 2023News story
Farewell to Age and Disability Discrimination Commissioners
Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM has joined with colleagues to farewell and celebrate the achievements of Age Discrimination Commissioner the Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Dr Ben Gauntlett. -
Technology and Human Rights
16 May 2023Opinion piece
Chatbot Race must not be Run with Blinkers on
Learn more about the risks of developing generative artificial intelligence products with disregard for human rights. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
21 November 2022Publication
Wiyi Yani U Thangani First Nations Women’s Safety Policy Forum Outcomes Report November 2022
The Forum brought over 150 participants together including First Nations community members, practitioners, researchers, specialist experts and government participants to consider how to address the root causes and drivers of violence. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
10 February 2022Speech
ANU College of Law Conference: Parenthood and Work in a Post-COVID Context
[Introduction in Bunuba] It is a pleasure be speaking to you all today. My name is June Oscar, and I am Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. I acknowledge the traditional custodians of all the lands across Australia and pay my respects to all elders, past, present and emerging. I also pay my respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples for those of…