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Our complaints process provides a way in which individuals and groups can voice and resolve disputes about discrimination and human rights. Our complaint work is also central to our role in protecting and promoting human rights and complements our policy and education work. The number and type of complaints we receive often highlight systemic discrimination problems. We use this information to…

*Complaints in this category were not conciliable and therefore transferred from the Commission’s Complaint Handling Section to the Legal Section for further inquiry and possible reporting.

We see our organisation as being a positive role model for other employers and a leader in the public sector. We were the first public sector agency to offer Paid Maternity Leave of 18 weeks to our staff and six weeks paid parental leave. We have a range of flexible working arrangements in place that enable our staff to make choices that create harmony and balance in their lives.

Select tender: A procurement procedure in which the procuring agency selects which potential suppliers are invited to submit tenders. This procurement process may only be used under certain defined circumstances.

Glossary A ADA Age Discrimination Act 2004 AHRCA Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 APF Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions – A member-based organisation that supports the establishment and strengthening of independent human rights institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. APS Australian Public Service ASTRA Australian Subscription Television Association ASX…

I have pleasure in presenting the Annual Report of the Australian Human Rights Commission for the period ending 30 June 2009, pursuant to section 45 of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986. The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of section 70 of the Public Service Act 1999.

The objective of the Commission’s new strategic plan is to build on the Commission’s strengths so that it is in a better position to help build an Australian culture where human rights are understood, respected and enjoyed by ‘everyone, everywhere, everyday’.

One of the Commission’s central functions is to undertake education programs that increase public awareness and generate discussion of human rights and anti-discrimination issues within Australia.

The Commission plays a significant role in monitoring legislation and policy in Australia to assess compliance with human rights principles. This monitoring role includes:

Federal human rights and anti-discrimination law provides for the Commission to investigate and resolve complaints of alleged discrimination and breaches of human rights. The Commission’s complaint work is central to its role in protecting and promoting human rights and complements the Commission’s policy and education functions. The Commission’s complaint process provides an…

The Commission has a function of intervening, with the leave of the Court, in proceedings that involve issues of human rights, equal opportunity in employment and age, race, sex, marital status, pregnancy and disability discrimination.

The Commission’s policy work on issues of human rights and disability has involved sustained focus, and engagement with government, disability community experts and representatives, and industry bodies over many years, and particularly since the passage of the Disability Discrimination Act in 1992.

2008-09 has been a year of positive developments in the human rights area. While many human rights challenges lie ahead, as Human Rights Commissioner, I have been excited by the progress that Australia has made in human rights, both domestically and internationally during the year.

This report covers my final year as the Race Discrimination Commissioner, a position I have occupied for five years alongside my position as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.

This year marked the end of my nationwide Listening Tour and the beginning of what has been a busy but rewarding time in my term as Commissioner. I am delighted to report that it has been an exciting year for progressing gender and age equality in Australia. The Listening Tour played an important role in setting the agenda for my term. In deciding where the Commission should focus its efforts, I…

The International Labour Organization Convention 111 deals with discrimination in employment and occupation. Australian adherence to this Convention provides that all people have the right to equal treatment in employment and occupation without discrimination on the basis of:

Annual Report 2008 - 2009 Appendix 2: Commission publications released during 2008-09 Back to Contents General About Us: Australian Human Rights Commission brochure (updated 2009) Australian Human Rights Commission Annual Report 2007-08 (tabled report 2008) 2008 Human Rights Medals and Awards brochure (2008) Strategic Plan 2008-2011 (2008) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice…

The Commission frequently receives international visitors and participates in meetings with individuals and representatives of organisations concerned with human rights.

During 2008-09, the Commission received 13 initial requests for access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act. The Commission was also asked to conduct an internal review of one of those decisions.

* When complainants under the Age, Racial, Sex and Disability Discrimination Acts are terminated, the complainant may apply to have the allegations heard and determined by the Federal Court of Australia or the Federal Magistrates Court.