The Commission promotes and protects human rights in a number of ways. For example, the Commission reviews and monitors legislation, conducts public inquiries, investigates and conciliates complaints, provides policy advice and delivers human rights education to promote greater understanding of human rights issues in Australia.
The Human Rights Commissioner, Catherine Branson QC, and the Human Rights Unit take the lead on the Commission's policy work in the areas including the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees, children’s rights, and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.
- For more information about human rights, click here.
- For more information about the work of the Human Rights Commissioner and the Human Rights Unit, click here.
What's new
- Discussion paper - Inquiry into the treatment of individuals suspected of people smuggling offences who say that they are children
(December 2011) - Keynote address to the Victoria Legal Aid Civil Justice Law and Practice Conference
(25 November 2011) - Bridging visas are a more humane way to treat people seeking protection
(25 November 2011)
Current projects
- Age Assessment: Inquiry into the treatment of individuals suspected of people smuggling offences who say that they are children
- Children's Rights
- Immigration detention, asylum seekers and refugees
- Consultation on Protection from Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Sex and/or Gender Identity
- Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT)
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Equality
- UN Universal Periodic Review on human rights
