News
Commission - General
President speeches: Development, Security and Human Rights
This paper addresses one of the Forum themes: ‘Security and Human Rights’. Since 11 September 2001 governments around the world have responded to the threat of terrorism with tough measures to protect the lives and security of their communities – to protect their fundamental human rights. New security measures give government authorities unprecedented powers, which can seriously infringe the basic human rights of those against whom the powers are exercised.
Business and Human Rights
Human Rights and Corporate Social Responsibility (2009)
In our new strategic plan we commit to 'motivating big business to incorporate human rights into their everyday business practice'.
The voices of children and young people shape our work. By listening to you we can research important issues and make recommendations on behalf of children and young people in Australia.
Child justice and wellbeing
We heard from children and young people and families from across Australia about their experiences with criminal justice systems.
We looked at what could be done to stop children coming into contact with the police and the courts and ending up in detention. And how people in charge could treat young people in detention safely and respectfully and be held to account.
ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ and young people told the National ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ's Commissioner they need 'help way earlier!'. She wrote a report about this. She also recorded this video to report back to children what she heard.
On Your Terms – sexual consent survey
We will soon survey people aged 14 – 18 years about their experiences of, and attitudes towards, consent, respectful relationships, and sex education. This will help the government improve consent education across Australia.
Listening to children and young people
We consult with children and young people across the country so their voices are included in decisions that affect them.
Our project 'Do things with the information we tell you': Supporting Quality Engagement with ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ (SQE) is about making sure the right people – the decision-makers in government – hear what children have to say and take action.
To read more about the findings, see our Project Overview.
At the UN
Australia has signed up to a UN treaty which protects children’s rights. The government reports on how it is upholding this law to a special committee every 5 years.
We also submit reports on how we think the government is tracking and what actions we think they should take.
You can also read our reports that have been written for kids
ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վs Rights
'Help Way Earlier!'- transforming child justice for safety & wellbeing
Learn about how Australia can transform child justice to improve safety and wellbeing.
ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վs Rights
Child-friendly version of 'Mental health shapes my life': COVID-19 & kids' wellbeing (2022)
ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վs Rights
Child-friendly version of Keeping kids safe and well (2022)
ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վs Rights
A guide for children and young people to the National Strategy to prevent child sexual abuse (2021)
ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վs Rights
Impacts of COVID-19 on children and young people who contact Kids Helpline (2020)
ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վs Rights
Child-friendly version of the ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ’s Rights Report 2019
Rights and Freedoms
WORLD REFUGEE DAY 2004
Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we stand and pay my respects to their elders both past, present and future.
Rights and Freedoms
Statement on Mandatory Sentencing
This is a rare event for the Human Rights Commission - a media conference convened by the President with other Commissioners. I can recall it occurring only once before in the Commission's history. The fact that we are doing this today reflects the seriousness of the issue we are discussing.
Commission - General
President Speech: The protection of rights and its positive impact on well-being (2010)
The protection of rights and its positive impact on well-being The Honourable Catherine Branson QC Women’s Hospitals Australasia & ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ’s Hospitals Australasia 10 November 2010 1. Introduction I would like to begin today by acknowledging the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation of peoples and...
Commission - General
Envisaging a Fairer Australia:Â Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday
I would like to begin by acknowledging the Kaurna peoples on whose land we meet this evening. I also thank Katrina Power for her warm welcome to country.
Commission - General
Past Achievements and Future Strategies in Educating the Public about Human Rights
Let me preface my remarks today with the assertion that, generally speaking, Australia has a strong and proud record on human rights. The Australian Government is formally committed to supporting the universal observance of human rights both at home and abroad saying that this policy helps to achieve a more stable and just international order, which benefits the security and prosperity of everyone. In this statement, the Government links peace to the observance of human rights, a topic to which I shall return.
Legal
Dignity, Fairness and Good Government: The Role of a Human Rights Act - Lord Bingham
It would clearly test to destruction the tolerance of the ordinary red-blooded Australian to have a Pom getting off the plane from London and telling them how to run their country. So I shall not presume to say how the current human rights debate in this country should be resolved. But perhaps I may contribute some thoughts, prompted by our own experience in the United Kingdom, acknowledging as I do so that the Australian context, while in some ways similar, is in others significantly different.
Disability Rights
Consumer protection: Why diversity and inclusion matters
Disability Discrimination Commissioner Dr Ben Gauntlett's keynote speech at the ACCC International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) Conference Dinner in 2023.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
Essentials for Social Justice: Reform
Between December 2007 and April 2008 the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, will deliver a series of key speeches setting out an agenda for change in Indigenous affairs.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
Start Stronger, Live Longer, National Aboriginal Health Symposium
I would like to begin by acknowledging the Nyoongar people, the traditional owners of the land we are meeting on today. I pay my respects to their elders past and present. I thank you Kim Collard for your warm welcome.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
Minerals Week 2008
I’d also like to thank the Minerals Council of Australia for inviting me to speak today and I acknowledge all distinguished guests and participants.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
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I would normally begin my speech with an acknowledgement of the traditional owners – but today I need to first express my thanks to Jackie for stepping in to give me voice.
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