Human Rights Commission says First Peoples justice must be part of national rights reform

The Australian Human Rights Commission has used its first annual national human rights assessment to call for stronger safeguards against racism, inequality and failures in First Peoples’ justice — warning that, while Australia has built one of the world’s most stable societies, “safety, stability and prosperity are not being shared equally”.

Launched at the National Press Club of Australia on Wednesday 29 April 2026 by Commission President Hugh de Kretser, the Australian Human Rights Assessment 2026 is the first edition of what will be an annual evaluation of Australia’s contemporary human rights record.

The Commission’s report card focuses on six themes: democratic freedoms; economic justice; racism and migration; First Peoples’ justice; safety; and equality and fairness.

The Commission says governments across Australia should be doing more to build trust in democracy, unity among Australians, and safeguards against racism, violence, inequality, climate change and rapid advances in technology.

Speaking at the launch, Mr de Kretser argued that human rights are central to Australians’ wellbeing:

“Human rights are the key to living well. Societies that protect human rights are stronger, healthier, safer and more prosperous.”
— Hugh de Kretser, AHRC President, National Press Club address, Canberra, 29 April 2026.
Source: AHRC speech transcript — humanrights.gov.au

Mr de Kretser said the new assessment was designed to give the public a clear, recurring picture of where rights are progressing and where they are slipping:

“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.”
— Hugh de Kretser, AHRC media release, 29 April 2026.
Source: AHRC media release — humanrights.gov.au

He framed the report card as a response to growing strain on national unity:

“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.”
— Hugh de Kretser, AHRC media release, 29 April 2026.
Source: AHRC media release — humanrights.gov.au

According to the Commission, the assessment’s findings draw on recent United Nations reviews of Australia’s human rights performance, alongside other local and global data sources, reports and assessments.

A call for an Australian Human Rights Act

Mr de Kretser said one key reform that would improve how everyone in Australia can enjoy their human rights would be introducing an Australian Human Rights Act [2]. In his National Press Club address he argued such an Act would consolidate rights protections in a single piece of Commonwealth law and require government decision-makers to act compatibly with them.

“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.”
— Hugh de Kretser, AHRC media release, 29 April 2026.
Source: AHRC media release — humanrights.gov.au

The Commission describes the report card as a national “human rights health check” intended to prompt action toward a country where everyone can enjoy their human rights and live in safety, freedom and prosperity.