Australian Human Rights Commission | Departments/Agencies

Council wins human rights award for refugee settlement

By Shannon Jenkins

Community & Social

A New South Wales council has been recognised for its work in settling refugees from Syria and northern Iraq in the region. The Armidale Regional…

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Why a 7% disability employment target for the APS really means a greater sense of inclusion and psychological safety

By Stephen Easton

Community & Social

When the Morrison government announced a 7% disability employment target for the Australian Public Service in May, it really meant that it aimed to have…

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Insights and analysis

Public servants tell harrowing tales of harassment after a mention in an FOI release. Their leaders want to shield them from the trolls, but anonymity comes with a price

By Stephen Easton

Features

The Australian government's guidelines for dealing with Freedom of Information requests help balance many of the competing interests that come with having a democratic, accountable…

Where are the women? A gender analysis of the APS Review

By Linda Colley & Sue Williamson

Australian Capital Territory

The biggest review of the Australian Public Service (APS) in 40 years is likely to herald significant changes, particularly for APS employees. As the APS…

Low number of people with disability in APS is raised at the UN

By Shannon Jenkins

Federal

Disability Discrimination Commissioner Ben Gauntlett has expressed concern over the lack of people with disability employed in the Australian Public Service. Australia is currently ranked…

The government has released its draft religious discrimination bill. How will it work?

By Liam Elphick, Amy Maguire & Anja Hilkemeijer

Culture

Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter has released a draft package of religious freedom bills, including the much-anticipated Religious Discrimination Bill. These bills respond to earlier inquiries…

PM&C issues guide for handling child-related complaints and allegations

By Shannon Jenkins

Culture

The Department of the Prime Minster and Cabinet has published a guide for handling complaints involving children and “creating child safe cultures”. Prompted by the…

AHRC calls on Australian Muslims to complete survey that might help inform the delivery of public services to their communities

By Shannon Jenkins

Culture

The Australian Human Rights Commission is conducting a national survey as part of a wider project to share the stories of Australian Muslims. The online…

'We need to have some hard conversations': Rosalind Croucher on human rights reform

By Shannon Jenkins

Culture

The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission wants to "get above politics". Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM spoke to a crowd of lawyers, students,…

Language is the key to success of future referendums

By Shannon Jenkins

Culture

A panel at the 2019 Castan Centre human rights conference discussed gaining human rights through public opinion, in relation to the 2017 marriage equality plebiscite…

Deadline extended to nominate government's human rights advocates

By Shannon Jenkins

Culture

The nomination deadline for the Human Rights Awards has been extended to 29 July 2019. The Australian Human Rights Commission encourages the nomination of individuals,…

Home Affairs rejects call for 'basic support' to protect asylum seekers and refugees

By Shannon Jenkins

Foreign Affairs & Immigration

The Department of Home Affairs has not accepted recommendations to improve protections for roughly 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers "living in the shadows" in Australia. …

Government finalists named for human rights awards

By The Mandarin

Community & Social

The inaugural finalists, recognised by the Australian Human Rights Commission for contributing to human rights aims, cover the work of three state government programs and…

Throwing a spotlight on government's good human rights work

By David Donaldson

Features

For the first time in its 31 years, the 2018 human rights awards will include a government category.

Time to reset Closing the Gap: ‘policy paralysis is not an option’

By June Oscar & Rod Little

Features

As the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians shows signs of widening, urgent action is needed to address our national shame say the…