2 Our vision and purpose An Australian society in which human rights are respected, protected and promoted through independent investigation and resolution of complaints, exercise of regulatory functions, contributions to law and policy reforms, research, education, partnerships, and monitoring and reporting on human rights. – AHRC PBS Outcome Statement As Australia’s national human rights institution, our vision is an Australian society in which human rights are respected, promoted and protected. Where every person is free and equal in dignity and rights. Where the Commission is connected to Australian communities and is a valued national institution having a positive impact on the major human rights priorities facing Australia. As Australia’s national human rights institution our purpose is to promote and protect the human rights of everyone in Australia. We do this through advising all arms of government and a range of public and private institutions; contributing to stronger law, policy and practice; delivering an accessible and effective investigation and conciliation service; supporting meaningful cultural change towards safer, respectful and more equitable workplaces through our role as a regulator in relation to the positive duty in the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, engaging inclusively with civil society communities and the private sectors; raising human rights awareness and providing human rights education; and working with partners to build a stronger culture of respect for human rights. Our statutory functions require us to undertake activities, including: • promoting understanding, acceptance and public discussion of human rights in Australia (including through our special purpose Commissioners); • inquiring into, and attempting to conciliate, complaints of unlawful discrimination, and complaints about conduct that may breach human rights; • reporting to Parliament on acts or practices that may be inconsistent or contrary to human rights, including making recommendations for government action or improved laws that would improve compliance with Australia’s international human rights obligations; • promoting human rights and issues protected by federal discrimination law (including through efforts to strengthen understanding of and compliance with human rights and discrimination laws, such as the preparation of guidelines, developing and monitoring disability standards, our intervention function and considering applications for temporary exemptions under relevant discrimination laws); • undertaking research, educational and other programs for promoting human rights, including by reporting to Parliament on the status of enjoyment of human rights by children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; • examining laws and proposed laws for consistency with human rights. 6 Australian Human Rights Commission