Australian Human Rights Commission

National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds and the Acting National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Lil Gordon, have expressed their serious concern about proposed changes to child protection legislation in the Northern Territory.

The proposed changes would override national guidelines and make it easier for courts to place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the care of non-Indigenous families.

The Commissioners believe the changes will undermine the right for First Nations children to be able to grow up with their culture and community.

“As outlined in the Commission's recent report tabled in the Australian Parliament, ‘Help Way Earlier!’ evidence shows that connection to culture, family and community is a key protective factor for children and helps prevent crime," Commissioner Hollonds said.

Read the joint statement in full: https://loom.ly/kSfSxqk
Read the landmark 'Help Way Earlier!' report on child justice: https://loom.ly/_A_P0PU

President Hugh de Kretser, Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman and Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay provided evidence at today's Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities.

"There has been an alarming and intensifying nationwide rise in antisemitism including arson attacks on synagogues, a parliamentarian’s office and now a childcare centre," President de Kretser said.

Read his full opening statement and how the Commission is helping to address antisemitism at https://loom.ly/kSKQ16Q

In our first Let’s Talk Ageing episode for 2025, we hear from human rights and refugee advocate and educator Dorothy Hoddinott AO.

Awarded the Australian Human Rights Medal in 2014 for her work with refugee and asylum seeker young people, Ms Hoddinott continues to pursue this advocacy work as part of her active volunteering.

She sees many sides to ageing, including being able to put to use a lifetime's accumulation of knowledge and experience, but without the “luxury of a lifetime ahead of you”.

“I think the key challenges for people as they get older include loss of agency and a sense of purpose in life. I may need to be dependent on others for the last years of my life. Until then, I plan on living life to the full,” Ms Hoddinott said.

Read the latest interview and catch up on our series here: https://loom.ly/Ml01mlc

Commissioner Katie Kiss has congratulated Lil Gordon on her appointment as Acting National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People.

“I welcome the commencement of this role which is dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights, interests and wellbeing of First Nations children,” Commissioner Kiss said. “I look forward to working closely with Ms Gordon across the critical issues our children are facing.”

Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman has condemned two antisemitic attacks on synagogues over the weekend in Allawah and Newtown, NSW. The incidents included antisemitic graffiti, and at Newtown, a fire was reportedly lit.

“These attacks, targeting sacred spaces for the Jewish community, are appalling. I condemn them in the strongest possible terms,” Commissioner Sivaraman said.

The Commissioner expressed deep concern over the fear and trauma caused by these acts, especially amidst a troubling rise in antisemitic incidents across the country. For the full media statement visit: https://loom.ly/kEq-1zs

This week Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss will be visiting parts of regional NSW on her Informing the Agenda tour. With a number of community consultations planned, Commissioner Kiss will be on the ground listening to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to shape the path forward for the next 5 years. For more information, a full list of locations and to register to attend: https://loom.ly/yhbRniQ

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss begins the consultations part of her Informing the Agenda project next week. The first consultation will take place in Wagga Wagga on Monday 13 January from 3pm to 6pm.
We will continue to announce consultations across the country in due course, watch this space! To register your spot for any of the listed locations and days, visit: https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-social-justice/informing-agenda-consultations

Season's greetings from all of us at the Commission, and all the best for 2025. We will be taking a short break between Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Our office will be closed from 25 December, and we will be returning on 2 January 2025.

The Commission recently supported an inaugural workshop in the Philippines on “Best Practices in Promoting Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge in Responding and Adapting to the Impact of Climate Change”.

Climate change remains one of the most urgent challenges of our time, with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, human wellbeing, and global development. This dialogue acknowledged the invaluable role Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems play, and incorporated presentations from several Indigenous representatives from Australia and the Pacific, supported by the Commission.

The diverse gathering reflected the collaborative effort needed to tackle these challenges and ensure that Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems are preserved, elevated, and integrated into climate solutions.

This activity was run through a partnership with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Last week, the Commission supported a Dialogue in Indonesia on Policing and the Use of Force. The event brought together representatives of police forces, governments, NHRIs and civil society to share experiences and ideas to strengthen a human rights-based approach to policing and law enforcement in Southeast Asia. Topics ranged from investigation procedures, to the use of force, freedom of assembly, and ending violence against women.

This activity, in line with the Commission’s strategic goal contributing to the advancement of human rights globally, was run through a partnership with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In May this year, we were tasked to undertake a study into racism at Australian universities. The interim report, titled "Respect At Uni", reveals a range of concerns from both students and staff in relation to their experience of racism on university campuses. The project has established a cross-Australian Government working group and an advisory committee.

For the media release and full report visit: https://loom.ly/lCVWYNk

The Commission was delighted to host a study visit for a delegation of Vietnamese researchers recently. The trip involved meeting with many diverse government and civil society organisations across Canberra and Sydney, as well as with Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald, to learn about Australia’s approach in advancing the rights of older people in laws and practice. There was even a chance to stop and meet some kangaroos and koalas!

This visit took place as part of a broader project of the International Engagement team of the Commission, the “Vietnam Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program”, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The learnings from the study visit will support the Vietnamese researchers to inform policy approaches in Vietnam to tackle the challenges associated with an aging population.

Pictured: Commission President Hugh de Kretser and the leader of the delegation, Dr Kien, Director of Human Rights Institute within Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics

S*x Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody and Chief of Defence Force Admiral David Johnston recently discussed the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Su***de and the momentum for cultural change.

“We have a strong collaboration with Defence. I welcome Defence’s engagement with the Royal Commission’s recommendations and look forward to strengthening our work for a culture that is safe, respectful and inclusive.”



Image c. Defence

In our final 'Let’s Talk Ageing' episode for 2024, Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM sits down with the Australian Industry Group’s Chief Executive, Innes Willox AM, about some of the challenges and opportunities of ageing in Australia.

Reflecting that he is “now closer to the end of work than the start”, Mr Willox speaks about growing awareness of the value of older people in Australian workplaces.

He shares insights into how his personal perspective is changing at the same time that there is a national mindset shift, driven by necessity and common sense, to keep mature workers in the workplace.

“Ageing necessarily gives you wisdom, it gives you a whole of patience but most importantly, it gives you perspective," he said.

https://loom.ly/3ArkMqI

Watch the interview below and catch up on the rest of our series here: https://loom.ly/Ml01mlc

Let's Talk Ageing with Innes Willox from Australian Industry Group In this latest installment of 'Let's Talk Ageing', Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM sits with Australian Industry Group Chief Executive I...

Today marks one year since the Australian Human Rights Commission’s positive duty regulatory powers came into force in the S*x Discrimination Act, aiming to eliminate workplace sexual harassment and discrimination.

The positive duty is a legal obligation which requires organisations and businesses to take "reasonable and proportionate measures" to eliminate unlawful behaviours in the workplace.

“The positive duty marks a pivotal shift in how we approach workplace equality,” said S*x Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody.

“Over the past year, the Commission has reached tens of thousands of workers, businesses and organisation through education and engagement on the positive duty. We call on senior leaders to continue to lead by example, ensuring their policies and practices actively foster respect and equality."

In the last year, the Commission also co-led the formation of the Australian Council of Human Rights Agencies (ACHRA) Positive Duty Working Group. This group will make sure all the state and territory human rights agencies collaborate on positive duty obligations.

Read our statement in full: https://loom.ly/1R2vS64

Read the media statement about the ACHRA working group: https://loom.ly/mTh_iOA

Learn more about the positive duty: https://loom.ly/l2wbSus

As the Queensland Government moves to pass its controversial Making Queensland Safer Bill this week, the National Children’s Commissioner is calling on the Australian Government to affirm its commitment to the human rights of Australia’s children, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds: “This Bill has attracted widespread condemnation, including from the United Nations, for its ‘flagrant disregard’ of the human rights of children and international law. The fact that its provisions are targeting our most at-risk children makes this retreat from human rights even more shocking.

“At this critical time, all governments across our federation need to stand up for the human rights of Australia’s children, including the Australian Government.”

Read the media release: https://loom.ly/dh_tg90