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Asylum Seekers and Refugees
11 October 2017PublicationInspection of Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre
This report contains an overview of key observations and concerns arising from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s inspection of the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre (MIDC) in March 2017. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
11 October 2017Publication
Inspection of Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation Report (2017)
This report contains an overview of key observations and concerns arising from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s inspection of the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation (MITA) detention facility in March 2017. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
23 February 2014Opinion piece
We can't 'outsource' our moral obligations to these people
Events on Manus Island have graphically and tragically brought to the attention of the Australian public the inappropriateness of the current arrangements for the regional processing of asylum seekers. I have been troubled by the loss of life and the injury that has occurred on Manus Island over this past week, even as we wait for further information about what exactly has occurred. I am… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
30 January 2014Opinion pieceWe need to fix the Constitution, says Social Justice Commissioner
Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the nation’s Constitution is a waste of time, 2UE Drive host Justin Smith recently argued. There are many things the Constitution doesn’t recognise, he said, the document is dull, and we would be better off if we paid attention instead to the words we use every day. I agree with Mr Smith on one point: the Constitution isn’t a page… -
Rights and Freedoms
20 December 2013PublicationAustralia's Universal Periodic Review 2013
This report is the third in a series of annual reports that are being developed in the lead up to Australia’s second Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in October 2015. Each report identifies important milestones as well as challenges that remain for the protection of human rights in Australia. -
Legal
13 December 2013PublicationCommonwealth v Australian Capital Territory [2013] HCA 55
In Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory, the High Court held unanimously that the whole of the Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013 (ACT) (the ACT Act) was inconsistent with the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) (the Marriage Act) and was therefore of no effect. -
Disability Rights
26 November 2013Opinion pieceWe have to stop this
“Are you talking about rape? I’ve been raped many times. You just have to get used to it.” Imagine that your daughter, sister, mother, wife, girlfriend or female friend had the grave misfortune to have this happen to her - and that this statement, thick with defeat and resignation, was her response to such a gross perpetration of violence against her. Now imagine she is in a care facility… -
Race Discrimination
28 July 2016PublicationLeading for Change: A blueprint for cultural diversity and inclusive leadership (2016)
Leading for Change starts the conversation about improving the representation of cultural diversity within Australian leadership. It provides guidance for how organisations can nurture leadership that is fit for our multicultural society and our global economy. -
Technology and Human Rights
25 September 2013Publication
Background Paper: Human Rights in Cyberspace
Learn more about how human rights are being actively engaged in digital environments and technologies. -
Sex Discrimination
22 July 2013PublicationAudit Report: Review into the Treatment of Women at ADFA
On 3 November 2011 the Report on the Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence Force Academy was tabled in the Australian Parliament. It contained 31 recommendations. This Audit has provided an important and unique opportunity to examine the extent to which these recommendations have been implemented, and to identify the further cultural reform work that should be undertaken. … -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
10 July 2013Webpage
Immigration detention reports and photos
Immigration detention reports: The reports below published by the Commission outline issues of concern arising from its visits to immigration detention facilities. 2018 Inspection of Adelaide Immigration Detention Centre Report (2018) - Dept. of Home Affairs response to Adelaide Immigration Detention Centre Inspection of Perth Immigration Detention Centre Report (2018) - Dept. of Home… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
9 July 2013Webpage
Submissions about immigration detention, asylum seekers and refugees
2015 Submission to Inquiry into the responsibilities of the Commonwealth Government in connection with the management and operation of the Regional Processing Centre in Nauru (April 2015) Submission to the Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015 (Cth) (April 2015) 2014 Submission to the Inquiry into the Migration and … -
Rights and Freedoms
11 March 2015Opinion piece
Is freedom under pressure globally?
Behind human rights is the still revolutionary idea that every human being is free and equal, that individuals own their own bodies and should be free to pursue their lives, opportunities and enterprise. Human rights provide the foundation for our liberal democracy, our market economy and our civil society. It was the signing 800 years ago of the Magna Carta, or Great Charter of 1215, by… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
11 February 2015Publication
Close the Gap - Progress and priorities report 2015
In the spirit of an open and constructive dialogue between government, the wider community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Close the Gap Campaign annually produces this progress and priorities report alongside the Prime Minister’s report. -
Rights and Freedoms
1 May 2013Webpage
1981-86 Human Rights Commission Annual Reports
Australia's first federal Human Rights Commission was established by the Fraser Government under the Human Rights Commission Act 1981. This Act included a sunset clause (section 36) under which the first Commission ceased operation in 1986. The first Commission was replaced by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (now renamed as the Australian Human Rights Commission) in… -
Rights and Freedoms
19 January 2015Opinion piece
Charlie Hebdo V 18C: no contest
Charlie Hebdo would have risked being censored by the courts, but self-censorship is the reality of Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. -
Commission – General
12 April 2013Opinion pieceTime for rethink on asylum seeker treatment
I am gravely concerned that Australia's practices in relation to asylum seekers risk serious breaches of fundamental rights and freedoms under the human rights treaties by which Australia is bound. -
Disability Rights
12 April 2013Speech
Launch of Accessible events -- a guide for organisers (2006)
Launch of Accessible events -- a guide for organisers Gold Coast Convention Centre 27 April 2006 Graeme Innes Human Rights Commissioner and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Acknowledgements Annabel Davis, President of MEA Suzie Jones, Chair of the Conference organising Committee Linda Gaunt CEO of MEA MEA members Ladies and Gentlemen Introduction Allow me to begin by acknowledging the … -
Rights and Freedoms
11 February 2013Publication
Australia's Universal Periodic Review
Following Australia's appearance in the UPR process, the Australian Human Rights Commission committed to publishing an annual report on the status of implementation of the UPR recommendations. The series of annual reports will track Australia's performance in the lead up to its next review in 2015. The Australian Human Rights Commission has prepared the progress reports on behalf of the… -
LGBTIQ+
3 March 2016PublicationReport of the Human Rights Commissioner on certain provisions of the Tasmanian Criminal Code
BACKGROUND Two sections of the Tasmanian Criminal Code (Section 122 (a) and (c) and Section 123) criminalise some forms of sexual activity between males and females and all forms of sexual intercourse between males, including all forms of sexual intercourse and at least some expressions of sexual intimacy between consenting adult homosexual men in private. Male homosexual acts between consenting…