Overview of Human Rights in Australia

Australia is a constitutional democracy. Free and fair multiparty elections occur in which representatives are elected. While the government works diligently to respect the human rights of all citizens, problems remain. The rights and privileges of indigenous peoples continue to be limited. A large and widening gap exists between the indigenous and non-indigenous peoples in terms of health care levels, educational opportunities, employment and housing availability. In 2005, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission -- an elected body which represented Australia in the United Nations Permanent Forum of Indigenous People -- was dismantled and subsequently replaced with a government-appointed body, a step backwards for the indigenous population. New measures to counter terrorism have worked to extend the detention period for those thought guilty of terrorist-related acts as well as to limit their access to legal representation.  In recent years, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission reported that children in immigration detention suffered physical and psychological harm. The body subsequently called for the release of all children and their families. To date, at least 200 children and their families still remain in detention. Thousands of other refugees seeking asylum remain in limbo due to the High Court of Australia’s ruling that legislation calling for the immediate and mandatory detention was legal and aligned with the Australian Constitution. 

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank: 3rd out of 177.

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.