Australian Human Rights Commission

National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds has penned an opinion piece on accountability for child safety and wellbeing published in The Canberra Times and Newcastle Herald. She says, 'The risks to child safety have been known for decades, and the evidence-based…

The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Hugh de Kretser, has today penned an opinion piece for The Canberra Times, reflecting on how the truth-telling process can change the perspectives of non-Indigenous Australians like himself. It follows this week's…

On this UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay has penned an opinion piece calling on Australia to fully implement the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). "The solution is within reach. In 2022,…

Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess is urging the Queensland Government to scrap plans to build more segregated schools or ‘special schools’. Commissioner Kayess wants the government to honour a commitment to the development of a National Roadmap for…

Do you know a champion of human rights? Someone who makes a difference and improves people's lives? You can nominate them for a human rights award: - Human Rights Medal - Law Award - Young People's Award - Media and Creative Industries Award - Community Award Nominating is…

'I’m an ideologue for human rights.' The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Hugh de Kretser, has been profiled in The Good Weekend magazine - in a piece that delves into Hugh's journey into human rights law and fight against inequality, and the urgent need to…

A Commission and Australian HR Insititute survey found that nearly a quarter of HR professionals now classify workers aged 51-55 as 'older', despite skills shortages. The 5th annual survey results are out today. Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald said, 'Older and…

In this month’s episode of Let’s Talk Ageing, we hear from Chris Grice, CEO of National Seniors Australia. Chris sees growing older as a privilege. A chance to ‘not sweat the small stuff’ and embrace the ‘pros and cons of ageing’. He also highlights the importance of universal…

Nominations are open for the 2025 Australian Human Rights Awards. This is your opportunity to celebrate individuals and organisations who have advanced or defended the human rights of people in Australia. Nominations are open for the: - Human Rights Medal - Law Award -…

National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds has called for national leadership on systems reforms required to keep children safe following news of the distressing case of the childcare worker alleged to have sexually abused numerous children in Victoria. She said: ‘The…

Shine a light on the inspirational work of human rights defenders and advocates. Nominations are now open for the 2025 Australian Human Rights Awards. -Human Rights Medal -Law Award -Media & Creative Industries Award -Community Award -Young People’s Award Find out more…

The final Respect@Work recommendation to be implemented, the Speaking from Experience report draws on the lived experience of workplace sexual harassment of over 300 Australians and calls for more action to address it: loom.ly/SXRllfs

President Hugh de Kretser recently addressed the Financial Counselling Australia conference in Adelaide. Drawing on his time as CEO of Victoria’s Yoorrook Justice Commission, he spoke about the power of truth telling, the need for justice and how human rights are Australian…

The Commission President and 3 Commissioners joined the final leg of the 500km Yoorrook Walk for Truth in Melbourne this morning. The walk is part of the final events of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Victoria’s formal truth-telling process. Read more about the Walk for…

Nominations for the 2025 Australian Human Rights Awards are now open. This is your chance to honour and celebrate individuals and organisations who are working hard to promote and protect the human rights of people in Australia. You can nominate across 5 categories: -Human…

Today marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. In this special episode of Let's Talk Ageing, Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AO sits down with Bev Lange, Executive Officer of Elder Abuse Action Australia - the national voice to end the abuse of older people.…

Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess is attending the 18th Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. COSP is an annual UN conference where…

The President and all seven Commissioners of the Australian Human Rights Commission are demanding immediate reform over the ongoing crisis of Aboriginal deaths in custody. There have been 12 Aboriginal deaths in custody across the country since the start of 2025. Recent deaths…

Together with the University of Sydney and University of Queensland we are conducting a study into the long-term impacts of childhood immigration detention. We want to hear from people who have ever been detained in Australia’s onshore or offshore immigration systems (including…

Would you be able to recognise the signs of elder abuse? World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which takes place on June 15 each year, reminds us how crucial it is for individuals, families and communities to recognise, prevent and respond to harm against older people. “Providing…