Ninth periodic report submitted by Australia under article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Question 6: National human rights institution

  1. The Government supports the work of the AHRC as Australia's independent National Human Rights Institution (NHRI).
  2. To address Global Alliance of NHRI Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA)'s 2022 recommendations, the Government passed legislative amendments, developed policy and guidelines and provided additional funding to the AHRC.
    • Consistent with the Paris Principles, the Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment (Selection and Appointment) Act 2022 (Cth) (commenced 10 November 2022) requires AHRC appointments be made through a merit-based and publicly advertised selection process.
    • Consistent with legislative amendments and supporting the AHRC re‑accreditation as an 'A' status NHRI (November 2023), Attorney-General's Department's developed Policy and Guidelines for Appointments to AHRC in consultation with AHRC.
    • In 2022, the Government invested $49.8 million over 4 years to AHRC, to implement Respect@Work Report recommendations, a National Anti-Racism Strategy, development of an anti-racism Framework, and extension of 'Racism. It Stops with Me' campaign.
    • The Commission's annual appropriations from Government for 2024-25 are $32.1 million.
  3. In July 2023, Dr Anna Cody was appointed as Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner for a term of 5 years under a merit-based selection process. Former Commissioner, Ms Kate Jenkins, finished her 7 year term in April 2023.