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14 December 2012Book page
Chapter 8: Guidelines for small business - Effectively preventing and responding to sexual harassment: A Code of Practice for Employers (2008)
A significant number of sexual harassment complaints received by the Commission involve small businesses. Employers should be aware of the potential for sexual harassment to occur in the context of close working relationships where staff are on familiar terms with one another and should take appropriate precautions to avoid this risk. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechCreating a culture of human rights compliance
Debates about a charter of rights are often monopolised by the contentious issue of the proper role of the courts. While this is undoubtedly an important question, it overlooks the impact a charter would have on the role of Parliament as a guardian of rights of freedoms. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012SpeechSite navigation
I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation on whose land we are today and pay my respects to their elders. I’d like to thank the organisers for inviting me to speak, and I would like to acknowledge you, the Aboriginal field staff. You have an important role and I pay tribute to you and your work. -
Sex Discrimination
14 December 2012SpeechLaunch of Good Practice, Good Business (2004)
Firstly, I would like to pass on apologies from the President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, The Hon. John von Doussa QC, who is presently interstate and unable to be here today. It goes without saying that he entirely endorses the purpose of this project and believes there should be more of it. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechSpeech - My body, my health, my decision (2012)
Both men acquired their disabilities 20 years ago. Neither of them work, nor do they have daily activities, or relationships with people outside their family. -
14 December 2012Book page
DIAC Response to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2009 Immigration Detention and Offshore Processing on Christmas Island Report
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) report on Immigration detention and offshore processing on Christmas Island following its visit to Christmas Island in July 2009. -
LGBTIQ+
3 July 2018WebpageBrotherboys, sistergirls and LGBT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Brotherboys, sistergirls and other LGBT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience a number of significant and intersecting points of discrimination and marginalisation in Australia. The Commission’s Resilient Individuals: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Intersex Rights report considered the intersecting issues of racism, homophobia and transphobia faced by these… -
25 February 2013Webpage
A Senator's story
Next week on this site Senator B******* tells how bullying at school made him the person he is. Some of his victims also come forward. -
Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Political Opinion
It can be discrimination when a person does not experience equal opportunity in employment because of his or her political opinion. This may include being refused a job, being dismissed from employment, being denied training opportunities or being harassed at work. The Commission may investigate complaints of discrimination in employment based on political opinion and, where appropriate, try… -
14 April 2015Book page
1 Social justice - Year in review
1.1 Introduction 1.2 Machinery of Government changes 1.3 The 2014 Budget 1.4 Leadership, representation and engagement 1.5 Constitutional recognition 1.6 Indigenous Jobs and Training Review 1.7 Closing the Gap 1.8 Stolen Generations 1.9 International developments 1.10 Australian Human Rights Commission complaints 1.11 Conclusion 1.1 Introduction At the beginning of this reporting period, we… -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageAustralia’s compliance with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
A. Introduction B. The ratification of OPCAT. C. A new torture offence D. Treatment in Immigration Detention E. A system of complementary protection F. Mechanisms to check diplomatic assurances are honoured G. Engagement with the UN Treaty Body process -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties
1. This submission is made by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (the "Commission") in response to the terms of reference issued by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties inquiry into the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment ("Optional Protocol").[1] -
Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Marital or Relationship Status
It is against the law to discriminate against a person because of his or her marital or relationship status. This includes people who are single, married, in a de facto relationship, separated, divorced, widowed or never married. It also includes people in same-sex relationships. There are some limited exemptions. Discrimination happens when a person is treated less favourably than another… -
Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Lesbian
Lesbians are protected from discrimination by law. The Sex Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to treat a person less favourably than another person in a similar situation because of her sexual orientation. There are some limited exemptions. Same-sex couples are also protected from discrimination under the definition of ‘marital or relationship status’ in the Act. Example: A company policy… -
Employers19 February 2015Quick Guide
Transgender
People who are transgender are protected from discrimination by law. The Sex Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to treat a person less favourably than another person in a similar situation because of the gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of the person. Example: A shop assistant refused to serve a person who identifies and presents as a… -
Rights and Freedoms
9 July 2015SpeechReligious Freedom in a Secular Society
Freedom of religion is a close ally and friend of the absolute freedoms of thought and conscience. Government cannot regulate it, and nor should they. Equally, it is closely allied to freedom of expression. -
14 December 2012Book page
Ismaع - Listen: Strategies Document
As part of the Ismaع project, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (the Commission) investigated existing initiatives that address anti-Arab or anti-Muslim prejudice at a local, state and federal level across Australia. We conducted research and requested information about current initiatives from seven federal government agencies, 37 state and territory government agencies … -
Employers19 February 2015Quick Guide
Trade Union Activity
It can be discrimination when a person does not experience equal opportunity in employment because of his or her activity in a trade union. This includes being refused a job or dismissed from a job, being refused a promotion, transfer or other benefit associated with employment, given unfair terms or conditions of employment, being refused training opportunities, being refused flexible work … -
Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Immigrant Status
It is against the law to discriminate against a person because that person is or has been an immigrant. There are some limited exceptions. Discrimination on the basis of immigrant status occurs when a person is treated less favourably, or not given the same opportunities as others in a similar situation, because of their immigrant status. This does not mean that an employer has to employ… -
Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Gay
People who are gay, lesbian or bisexual are protected from discrimination by law. The Sex Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to treat a person less favourably than another person in a similar situation because of their sexual orientation. There are some limited exemptions. Example: It may be discrimination for an employer not to promote an employee to a more senior role because he is gay…