Australian Human Rights Commission
Annual Report November 2022
(b)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth), the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner may report to the Minister on
the exercise and enjoyment of human rights of Indigenous peoples and
undertakes social justice education and promotional activities.
This Commissioner may report under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) on the
operation of the Act and its effect on the exercise and enjoyment of human rights
of Indigenous peoples. In addition, the Commissioner reports, when requested
by the Minister, on any other matter relating to the rights of Indigenous peoples
under this Act.
(c)
Sex Discrimination Commissioner
The Sex Discrimination Commissioner has functions under the Fair Work Act 2009
(Cth) in relation to federal awards and equal pay.
(d)
National Children’s Commissioner
Under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth), the National
Children’s Commissioner may report to the Minister on the enjoyment and
exercise of human rights by children in Australia.
3.3 Responsible Minister
In this period, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash was the Attorney-General
responsible for the Commission to 23 May 2022. The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP
Attorney-General, assumed office and became Minister in Parliament responsible
for the Commission on 1 June 2022.
The Attorney-General has a number of powers under the Australian Human Rights
Commission Act 1986 (Cth).
3.4 Governance
The Commission operates under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986
(Cth), the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth) and the Public Governance, Performance and
Accountability Act 2013 (Cth). The implementation of these responsibilities is
outlined in the Commission’s Governance Framework 2022, showing how the
Commission is to be governed and its guiding principles, how it is to implement
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