Australian Human Rights Commission

Australian Human Rights Commission For a free and equal Australia.

Official Australian Human Rights Commission page: news and events from Australia's human rights watchdog and we welcome discussions on human rights topics. Check out our webpage at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au
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28/05/2026

If Australia is serious about ending violence within a generation, prevention must start in childhood.

Our new report, 'We’re talking about stopping violence before it begins,' is based on conversations with more than 300 children and young people aged 10–17 from across Australia. They told us what safe relationships look like, what puts them at risk, and why prevention needs to start earlier.

The report calls for coordinated, child‑centred action across government, education, communities and online environments, aligned to existing national frameworks.

Listening to children is not optional. It is essential to effective prevention.

Read the report on our website - https://loom.ly/f7oUP4w

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss has renewed her call for justice reform fo...
27/05/2026

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss has renewed her call for justice reform following yesterday’s decision by the Northern Territory Director of Public Prosecutions not to lay charges against the two officers involved in the death of Kumanjayi White in Alice Springs.

'Today marks one year since the death of Warlpiri man Kumanjayi White. The 24-year-old with cognitive disability died after being forcibly restrained by two plain-clothes Northern Territory police officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs.

'We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Kumanjayi White for their loss and the struggles they have faced in the pursuit of justice. The timing of this announcement on the eve of the anniversary and on National Sorry Day has caused additional harm to our people on a significantly sensitive day for First Peoples.’

Read the full statement https://loom.ly/KC79YA8

Today we honour 2 defining moments in Australia’s journey towards justice — National Sorry Day and the anniversary of th...
27/05/2026

Today we honour 2 defining moments in Australia’s journey towards justice — National Sorry Day and the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum.

Sorry Day calls on us to acknowledge the pain of the Stolen Generations and the ongoing impact on them of being forcibly removed from their families. It also asks us to commit to healing through truth, accountability and respect. The Commission’s landmark 'Bringing them Home' Report published in 1997 detailed the history and trauma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families. This major act of truth-telling revealed that between 10% and 33% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were taken from their families between 1910 and 1970. It made 54 actionable recommendations to support healing and deliver justice. An audit conducted by the Healing Foundation reveals that only 6% of those recommendations have been implemented in the 29 years since the Inquiry reported.

The anniversary of the 1967 Referendum reminds us of the power of collective action, when Australians voted overwhelmingly to counting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the national census count and giving the Australian Government the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Despite these historic changes, the Constitution remains silent on recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as Australia’s First Peoples.

Together, these moments reflect both how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go.

‘Too many First Nations communities continue to experience inequality, systemic disadvantage and barriers to self-determination,’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said.

‘Honouring these milestones means more than reflection. It means action. We all have a role to play, listening to First Nations voices, supporting truth-telling, and advocating for real, lasting change.’

Find out more about Bringing Them Home here: https://loom.ly/jR-zQ3I

National Reconciliation Week marks two significant milestones in our history, the successful 1967 referendum and the Hig...
27/05/2026

National Reconciliation Week marks two significant milestones in our history, the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court’s Mabo decision, both of which shaped the path toward recognising the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme, “All In,” is a call for every Australian to take part in reconciliation, not just during this week, but every day.

‘Reconciliation isn’t just a moment, it’s an ongoing journey,’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said.

‘It asks each of us to listen deeply, learn honestly, and act with purpose. It means acknowledging the truths of our past, honouring the world’s oldest continuing cultures, and working in partnership to create a shared future grounded in respect and understanding.

‘Reconciliation lives in what we choose to do every day, in how we listen, how we respect, and how we stand alongside First Peoples to create lasting change. Each of us has a role, and together, we can build a future grounded in justice and truth.’

We've just announced the details of the national online edition of our The Answer is Human Rights seminar series. The FR...
26/05/2026

We've just announced the details of the national online edition of our The Answer is Human Rights seminar series. The FREE seminar will be held on Thursday 18 June, 12:30pm – 2pm. It will be delivered via Zoom and will have Auslan interpretation and live captioning.

With growing concerns around social cohesion, the right to peaceful protest, housing affordability, economic inequality, and the impact of climate change and digital technologies, the seminar will focus on how human rights can help us address these and other challenging issues.

Featuring a panel of leading human rights and social justice advocates, it’s a not-to-be missed event for anyone who cares about keeping our democracy healthy and strong as well as ensuring Australia is a just, equal and inclusive country where everyone can feel safe and have opportunities to thrive.

REGISTER NOW: https://loom.ly/rHlLGmU

22/05/2026

This week the Commission released 'We’re talking about stopping violence before it begins: Supporting quality engagement with children,' informed by consultations with more than 300 children and young people nationwide.

The report highlights the importance of early prevention, relationships education and embedding children’s voices in policy and practice. It makes eight key recommendations, including stronger whole‑of‑government coordination, mandatory child and youth participation in national frameworks, earlier and better education on consent and relationships, culturally safe community‑led programs, and greater investment in safe spaces for children and young people.

Read the report on our website - https://loom.ly/f7oUP4w

Thank you Brisbane and Darwin!Earlier this week the Commission's 'The Answer is Human Rights' seminar series visited Que...
22/05/2026

Thank you Brisbane and Darwin!

Earlier this week the Commission's 'The Answer is Human Rights' seminar series visited Queensland and the Northern Territory. We extend our deepest gratitude to the panelists and everybody who attended. Special thanks to our local partners the Queensland Human Rights Commission and the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission.

The seminar series continues around the country with the next one in Perth on 11 June. Find out more https://loom.ly/eV3iAek

Image 1 L to R: QHRC Commissioner Debbie Platz, QCOSS CEO Aimee McVeigh, Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Director of Services Necho Brocchi, QHRC Deputy Commissioner, Public Policy and Prevention Jane Vasey, Traditional Custodian Refiti Tovi, Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman, and AHRC Chief Executive Leanne Smith.

Image 2 L to R: NT Children’s Commissioner Shahleena Musk, NAAJA CEO Ben Grimes, AHRC Chief Executive Leanne Smith, AHRC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss, Traditional Custodian Nicole Brown, NT Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Jeswynn Yogaratnam.

Last week in Bangkok, the Commission co-hosted a regional dialogue on the growing links between scam operations and tran...
21/05/2026

Last week in Bangkok, the Commission co-hosted a regional dialogue on the growing links between scam operations and transnational crime - and heard powerful testimonials from survivors of human trafficking and scam centres.

Convened by ASEAN’s Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights Thailand, the dialogue brought together law enforcement, international organisations and civil society to discuss the urgent need for victim centred, human rights-based responses.

Survivors highlighted critical areas for improvement, including victim identification, consular cooperation, repatriation and reintegration, and the application of the non-punishment principle.

Thank you to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Southeast Asia and Australia Government Partnerships program for supporting ASEAN’s commitment to strengthen regional cooperation and upholding human dignity and human security.
Australian Embassy, Thailand
AICHR Thailand

19/05/2026

What does it mean to age, as a man, in a culture that still struggles with vulnerability?

In this episode of Let’s Talk Ageing, Ian Roberts, actor, former NRL star and the first openly gay man in the game, reflects on masculinity, sport, identity and growing older. Ian is now an ambassador for ConneCTErs: Survivors of Chronic Head Injury.

‘Time and age humbles us all. It’s still difficult for men to ask for help and say, look, I’m struggling,’ Ian tells Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM.

From inclusion and belonging to brain injury, community, support and connection, this is a sincere and wide-ranging conversation about honesty and what it takes to age well.

Watch the full interview and catch up on the series: https://loom.ly/2yMicrw

Australia’s First Peoples and Children’s Commissioners are calling on the Northern Territory government not to weaken th...
18/05/2026

Australia’s First Peoples and Children’s Commissioners are calling on the Northern Territory government not to weaken the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle in proposed child protection law changes.

Following last month's death of Kumanjayi Little Baby, the NT government has begun reviewing its child protection system. Many First Peoples advocates fear the proposed changes could dilute key protections for children.

The Child Placement Principle was created to help ensure culture, family, community and Country are central to decisions affecting the welfare of Indigenous children while in protection.

The Commissioners warn that any changes making it easier to separate children from these connections risk undermining their rights, repeating past harms and moving further away from evidence-based reform.

Read the full response: https://loom.ly/zAL7-zw

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