In its first ever annual assessment of Australia's track record on human rights, the Australian Human Rights Commission says governments across Australia should be doing more to build trust in our democracy, unity among Australians and safeguards against racism, violence, inequality, climate change and rapid advances in technology.
Launched today at the National Press Club of Australia by Commission President Hugh de Kretser, the Australian Human Rights Assessment 2026 provides a broad evaluation of how Australia is currently performing in terms of advancing and protecting human rights.
Commission President Hugh de Kretser: 'Human rights are the key to living well. Societies that protect human rights are stronger, healthier, safer and more prosperous.
'We've launched this annual assessment because good information on human rights progress and regress is essential to better protecting people's rights. It helps Australians to see where we are doing well, where we need to improve and where action is needed.
'Australia has done a lot well on human rights. We live in one of the safest, most stable and prosperous countries on the planet. But that safety, stability and prosperity are not shared equally. We need to improve on many issues including racism, violence, inequality, the erosion of protest rights, housing and climate change. We have a strong foundation to respond but we must act now.
'Right now, our social fabric is fraying. Human rights values are Australian values; fairness, equality, respect, dignity, freedom and looking out for one another. A stronger commitment to human rights will help restore trust and bring us together.
'We want this 'human rights health check' to prompt action to help bring us closer to a nation where everyone can enjoy their human rights and live in safety, freedom and prosperity.
President de Kretser said one key thing we could do to improve how everyone in Australia can enjoy their human rights would be introducing an Australian Human Rights Act. 'This reform would protect people's rights in Australian law, build a culture that respects human rights and give people power to act if their rights are breached. It would strengthen trust in government and promote cohesion.'
The 2026 Assessment findings draw on recent United Nations reviews of Australia's human rights performance as well as other local and global data sources, reports and assessments.
The Commission has produced a 2026 Assessment report card to help highlight key issues where progress is being made as well as issues where action is required. The report card focuses on 6 themes: democratic freedoms; economic justice; racism and migration; First Peoples' justice; safety; and equality and fairness.
The report card and supporting materials are available on the Commission's website. Read the 2026 Assessment report card.
The Australian Human Rights Assessment 2026 is part of the Commission's 40 Years program marking its 40th anniversary as Australia's national human rights institution.
