Recommendation 124

Australia has comprehensive anti-discrimination laws at federal, state and territory level that are the subject of ongoing review and public debate. The Australian Government will continue to focus policy effort on combatting all forms of discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex and race. Information on Australian Government anti-discrimination law can be found on the human rights and anti-discrimination page on the Attorney-General’s Department website.

The Australian Human Rights Commission also works to promote human rights, such as freedom from discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability or age. Information on the work of the Commission can be found on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

Australia has had a dedicated federal Disability Discrimination Commissioner since 1993. The Commissioner is established within the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). The Commissioner’s functions include protecting the rights of persons with disability in Australia and promoting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Information about the current Commissioner and work underway can be found on the Disability rights page of the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

The National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 is Australia’s overarching framework for disability reform.  The Strategy provides a ten-year national policy framework for all levels of government to improve the lives of people with disability. Outcome Two of the Strategy, ‘Rights protection, justice and legislation’, focuses on ensuring people with disability have their rights promoted, upheld and protected, through increasing awareness and acceptance of the rights of people with disability and removing societal barriers preventing people with disability from participating as equal citizens.

Australia has had a dedicated federal Age Discrimination Commissioner since 2011, established within the Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth). The Commissioner’s functions include promoting understanding and acceptance of the Act, and protecting individuals from discrimination on the basis of age in many areas of public life, including employment, education, accommodation and the provision of goods and services.

All Australians are free to choose their religion. Australia is committed to protecting the right of all people to express and practise their religion without intimidation, interference or harassment, provided those practices are within the framework of Australian law. On 22 November 2017, the Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, announced the appointment of the Hon Philip Ruddock to examine whether Australian law adequately protects the human right to religious freedom. Mr Ruddock will be assisted by an expert panel consisting of the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, retired Federal Court of Australia Judge and Chancellor of Bond University, the Hon Annabelle Bennett AO SC, and Jesuit Priest and Catholic Services Australia CEO, Father Frank Brennan SJ AO. Mr Ruddock has been asked to report his findings by 31 March 2018. Mr Ruddock has recently served as Australia’s Special Envoy for Human Rights, and previously held the positions of Commonwealth Attorney-General and Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

On 29 November 2016, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, asked the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) to inquire into and report on the status of the human right to freedom of religion or belief. JSCFADT inquiry is looking more broadly into freedom of religion around the world, including Australia. The inquiry is ongoing.

For information on state and territory anti-discrimination laws, visit:

• Australian Capital Territory – ACT Human Rights Commission
• Northern Territory – NT Anti-Discrimination Commission
• New South Wales – Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW
• Queensland – Queensland Government and Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland
• South Australia –  Equal Opportunity Commission SA
• Tasmania – Equal Opportunity Tasmania
• Victoria – Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
• Western Australia – Equal Opportunity Commission