The Age Discrimination Commissioner, the Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO, has focused considerable attention on the importance of addressing elder abuse in the community, through community awareness activities including a highly successful video, ‘Know the Signs’ and in working with governments to implement the Australian Law Reform Commission’s report on elder abuse. As we move forward, the Commission is facing certain financial issues. The Commission has been operating beyond its annual funding sources. This is in part a result of cost pressures faced by the Commission including the costs associated with supporting Commissioners and an increase in complaints over the past five years. In addition, the work of the Commission has increased substantially because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Commission recording a 35% increase in complaints this year and this trend is continuing with current projections estimating over 4,500 complaints in the next reporting cycle. The Commission is working with the Government to address these issues in a way that ensures that the Commission can meet our statutory obligations in promoting and protecting human rights in Australia. We look forward to Australia emerging from the pandemic with our communities stronger, and with people more connected to each other; with there being a greater appreciation of the importance of respecting each other’s rights and our individual and collective role in achieving this; and with the knowledge that no challenge is too great for our nation to face – knowing that bold, determined action can be taken on any number of human rights challenges, if there is a will to do so. Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President Annual Report 2020–2021 Australian Human Rights Commission 19