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Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Laws
The following federal anti-discrimination laws protect people from discrimination and harassment: Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth) Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) Federal discrimination laws prohibit discrimination in different areas of… -
Complaint Information Service14 December 2012Webpage
Complaint Guides
The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent third party which investigates complaints about discrimination and human rights breaches. It does not act as an advocate or legal representative for a party to a complaint. The complaint process is simple, free and flexible. Please click on the links below to view the outline of each one of them. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechNational Disability Strategies as tools for implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Summary: Australia’s National Disability Strategy provides a framework for implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons and for means for enhancing reporting under the Convention. Further development and implementation of the NDS should be informed by the Committee’s reporting guidelines and by the dialogue between the Australian Government and the Committee in considering Australia… -
14 December 2012Book page
HREOC - Annual Report 2001 - 2002:Chapter 3: Legal Services
The Commission's jurisdiction to hear and determine complaints of unlawful discrimination ceased on 13 April 2000 with the commencement of the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act (No.1) 1999 (Cth) and was transferred to the Federal Court and Federal Magistrates Service. The Commission retained the jurisdiction to complete those public inquiries that had commenced prior to 13 April 2000. -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageHREOC submission to Inquiry into Immigration Detention in Australia
Recommendation 1: The Migration Act should be amended so that detention occurs only when necessary. This should be the exception not the norm. It must be for a minimal period, be reasonable and be a proportionate means of achieving at least one of the aims outlined in international law (ExComm Conclusion 44). These limited grounds for detention should be clearly prescribed in the Migration Act. -
Commission – General
19 August 2016WebpageRobynne Quiggin - Deputy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Ms Robynne Quiggin Former Deputy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner 2016 - 2017 Robynne Quiggin was the Deputy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner from 1 August 2016 to 9 February 2017. Robynne is a Wiradjuri lawyer and has worked across legal and policy areas of relevance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians… -
Rights and Freedoms
27 March 2019Webpage
How are human rights protected in Australian law?
Australia lacks a Bill of Rights, but there are safeguards through the Constitution and legislation. Understand the role of the Commission. -
Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Hearing Impairment
Hearing impairments can be covered by the Disability Discrimination Act. The Act makes it against the law to discriminate against a person because of disability. There are some limited exceptions and exemptions. It is not unlawful to discriminate against an employee on the basis of their disability if the person cannot perform the inherent requirements of a job after reasonable adjustments… -
Children's Rights
26 August 2014Project
Statement of Intent on Children's Rights in Early Childhood Education and Care
In 2014, the National Children's Commissioner worked with Early Childhood Australia (ECA) to develop a Statement of Intent on Children’s Rights in Early Childhood Education and Care (Statement of Intent). The Statement of Intent identifies priority areas for action. It is a practical tool designed to help early childhood educators understand Australia's obligations to children, and to… -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Notice of inquiry: Application for exemption under Disability Discrimination Act section 55 and Sex Discrimination Act section 44: Civil Aviation medical standards
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applied on 29 July 2002 to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission for temporary exemption under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 ("SDA"), section 44, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 ("DDA"), section 55, for persons acting pursuant to existing Civil Aviation Regulations regarding medical fitness and proposed… -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2004 : Media Pack
I have two tasks this evening. The first is to launch my Social Justice Report and Native Title Report for 2004. The second is to launch the ATSIC Yilli Rreung Regional Council"s Strategic Plan. -
Rights and Freedoms
1 May 2013Publication
Human rights issues raised by the third country processing regime
The Commission recognises the importance of effective border management and recognises that Australia has a right as a sovereign State to exclude non-citizens from its territory. However, Australia also has international obligations in relation to asylum seekers who come here, including those who arrive by boat, which must be observed in its border management practices. This paper provides a… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Webpage
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination - Human rights at your fingertips - Human rights at your fingertips
Considering that the Charter of the United Nations is based on the principles of the dignity and equality inherent in all human beings, and that all Member States have pledged themselves to take joint and separate action, in co-operation with the Organization, for the achievement of one of the purposes of the United Nations which is to promote and encourage universal respect for and observance of… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
A Human Rights Act for Australia
I would also like to acknowledge the presence of Members of Parliament - Mike Reynolds (Speaker of the Legislative Assembly), Linda Lavarch, Dean Wells, Evan Moorhead; Christine Smith, Desley Scott, Kate Jones, Dianne Reilly and Vicky Darling. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
10 July 2013WebpageSpeeches, events and media about immigration detention, asylum seekers and refugees
Discover a history of speeches, events and media about immigration detention, asylum seekers and refugees at the Human Rights Commission. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
President speeches: The influence of human rights on judicial decision-making
May I acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the traditional owners of the land upon which we meet, and pay my respect to their elders past and present. -
Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Discrimination
Employers have a legal responsibility to take all reasonable steps to prevent discrimination. Find out more in this quick guide. -
Children's Rights
25 September 2015Publication
Children's Rights Report 2015
This report outlines work the National Children's Commissioner has undertaken throughout 2014-15 -
27 November 2015Book page
The need for better engagement - Year in review
1.1 Introduction In last year’s Social Justice and Native Title Report, I raised concerns about the changes resulting from the 2014-15 Budget and the restructure to Indigenous Affairs through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS). Despite initial concerns about how these changes would impact our communities, I indicated that the streamlining of programs and the move away from a ‘one size… -
Commission – General
1 August 2016Webpage
Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Mr Alastair McEwin
Mr Alastair McEwin Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner (2016 - 2019) Alastair McEwin was Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner from 29 July 2016 - 4 April 2019. He brought to the position extensive personal and professional experience of disability. Alastair’s educational background is in arts, law and business administration. He was the Executive Director of Community…