human rights

Australia cannot ignore Myanmar’s refugee crisis any longer

Australia cannot claim to be a champion of human rights while leaving Myanmar’s displaced people without options or...

12 March 2025

By Ko Ko Aung

UN decision on Australia’s human rights breaches a decade in the making

A legal centre’s decade-long fight to secure justice for children detained on Nauru has paid off with a landmark...

13 January 2025

By Naomi Neilson

New Qld law ‘an international embarrassment’ for Australia, says children’s commissioner

According to the National Children’s Commissioner, the Sunshine State’s controversial Making Queensland Safer Bill...

12 December 2024

By Jerome Doraisamy

New book explores essential human considerations in age of AI

Former human rights commissioner Ed Santow has co-authored a book, published by LexisNexis, examining the rise of AI...

05 November 2024

By Jerome Doraisamy

The roadmap for reforming children’s justice outcomes in Australia

A minister for children and ratification of a United Nations convention are two of numerous recommendations from the...

02 October 2024

By Grace Robbie

A lawyer’s plea for better support for LGBTI elders

Despite significant strides towards equality in many areas of life, LGBTI elders remain among the most vulnerable,...

29 August 2024

By Nicholas Stewart

Ex-diplomat owes over $500k to former worker for ‘slave-like’ conditions

In a major modern slavery case, the Federal Court has found that the former Sri Lankan deputy high commissioner owes...

16 August 2024

By Jerome Doraisamy

AHRC pledges support for parliamentary push to make adequate housing a human right

The Australian Human Rights Commission has thrown its support behind a private member’s bill that would recognise the...

15 August 2024

By Jerome Doraisamy

‘Australia has lost its way’ on housing, says former Supreme Court judge

In conversation with Lawyers Weekly, the Honourable Kevin Bell AO KC spoke of the “housing disaster” facing...

01 August 2024

By Jerome Doraisamy

Western Sydney University names new law school dean

Professor Catherine Renshaw has been appointed as the new dean of the School of Law at Western Sydney...

10 July 2024

By Jerome Doraisamy

Independents push for adequate housing to be considered a human right

A private member’s bill has been introduced to both chambers of Parliament, raising the question of whether adequate...

25 June 2024

By Grace Robbie

Julian Assange’s lawyer says Australians ‘deserve’ a Human Rights Act

Jennifer Robinson, the human rights barrister representing Julian Assange in his extradition fight, said Australians...

20 June 2024

By Naomi Neilson

Michael Kirby slams ‘fundamental weakness’ in Australian democracy

After NSW became the last state to issue a formal apology to the LGBTI community for historic anti-gay laws, Michael...

10 June 2024

By Lauren Croft

Would a Human Rights Act give too much power to the courts?

A parliamentary inquiry has recommended that Australia should enact its first federal Human Rights Act. However,...

06 June 2024

By Grace Robbie

Maurice Blackburn principal named race discrimination commissioner

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has named a principal from national law firm Maurice Blackburn as Australia’s new race...

05 February 2024

By Jerome Doraisamy

COVID policies exposed flaw in human rights laws, HRLC says

If a Charter of Human Rights existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of concerning decisions and policies...

15 January 2024

By Naomi Neilson

Go above and beyond, and pay it forward: How to advocate for yourself and others

Lawyers are in a powerful position to use their platform for social change, according to this senior

21 November 2023

By Malavika Santhebennur

Sydney Law School professor named as UN special rapporteur

A law professor from the University of Sydney has been appointed as special rapporteur on human rights and...

30 October 2023

By Jerome Doraisamy

The evolving implications of Australia’s modern slavery laws

Australia’s looming and timely review of the Modern Slavery Act will have implications that will impact upon the...

31 August 2023

By Professor Justine Nolan (in collaboration with Unisearch)

Metisphere adds renowned human rights lawyer as director

Strategic advisory business Metisphere has appointed international humanitarian lawyer and former war crimes prosecutor...

18 August 2023

By Jerome Doraisamy