Recommendation 125

Australia has comprehensive anti-discrimination laws at federal, state and territory level that are the subject of ongoing review and public debate. The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) makes discrimination on a range of grounds unlawful, including race, colour, descent and national or ethnic origin.

The Australian Government supports the National Anti-Racism Strategy and its related public awareness campaign, Racism. It Stops With Me.

Australia has had a dedicated federal Race Discrimination Commissioner since 1986. The Commissioner is established within the Australian Human Rights Commission by the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). The Commissioner’s functions include promoting understanding and acceptance of the Act, and developing research and educational programmes to combat racial discrimination. The Commissioner leads the National Anti-Racism Strategy and the ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’ campaign. Information about the current Commissioner and work underway can be found on the Race discrimination page on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

Australia has had a dedicated federal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner since 1993.  The Commissioner is established within the Australian Human Rights Commission by Part IIA of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986(Cth). The Commissioner’s functions include promoting discussion and awareness of human rights in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Commissioner also undertakes programmes (including research and educational programmes) to promote respect for the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to promote the enjoyment and exercise of human rights by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Information about the current Commissioner and work underway can be found on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice page on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

The Australian Government continues to promote and strengthen the rights of Indigenous peoples through a range of policies and programmes. Information on policies and programmes can be found on the Indigenous affairs page on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

In 2008, all Australian governments agreed to address the disadvantage faced by Indigenous Australians through the Closing the Gap framework. Work towards achieving the Closing the Gap targets, which include life expectancy, child mortality, early childhood education, literacy and numeracy, educational attainment and employment, continues. The Prime Minister’s 2017 Closing the Gap Report can be found on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

For information on state and territory policies and programmes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, visit:

• Australian Capital Territory – Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
• New South Wales – Office of Communities—Aboriginal Affairs
• Northern Territory – Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Queensland – Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
• South Australia – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Community Advice and Support,
• Tasmania – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Victoria – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Victoria
• Western Australia – Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage