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We have statutory responsibilities under these laws, including to investigate and conciliate complaints of alleged discrimination and breaches of human rights recognised under international conventions to which Australia is a party and to promote and protect these human rights generally.

Gives effect to Australia’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and certain aspects of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 156.

In July 2010, the Racism and the Tertiary Student Experience in Australia policy paper was released, the result of our partnership with the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and Universities Australia. With international student safety a major political, social and economic issue, we led a collaboration of student representatives, key institutions and international experts to address the…

In early 2011 the ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ celebrated 25 years of operation. It was an occasion for us to identify lessons from the past and to envision how we can work even more effectively to fulfil our statutory mandate to protect and promote human rights in Australia.

Last year, when I announced the priorities for my term I said that, as a nation, we needed to develop stronger and deeper relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the rest of the Australia, between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all levels of government, and between ourselves as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Hon. Catherine Branson was appointed President of the ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ on 7 August 2008 and commenced her five year term on 14 October 2008. On 12 July 2009 she additionally became the Human Rights Commissioner.

A fundamental goal of the Commission is to engage all parts of the Australian community in a constructive dialogue about human rights and how they can be better protected.

Everyone has a fundamental right to feel safe from all forms of violence, in all parts of their lives. Each year, however, too many Australians encounter violence, harassment and bullying because of their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation or age. Addressing these forms of violence is the second of the Commission’s two priority areas of work.

In June 2011, the Commission welcomed action taken by the Australian Government to move a significant number of families and unaccompanied children from immigration detention facilities to community-based detention.

The year in review Resolving discrimination and human rights issues One of the Commission’s primary functions is to help people resolve complaints about discrimination and breaches of human rights. We also provide independent legal advice to assist courts in cases that involve human rights principles. Our complaint service The Commission can investigate complaints of discrimination,…