ACT Human Rights Commission

Terrific to launch our new Reconciliation allies group for staff in Reconciliation Week!

Happy Mabo Day! Today we remember the 1992 Mabo decision when the High Court of Australia recognised native title. The court acknowledged that Eddie Koiki Mabo, David Passi, Sam Passi, James Rice & Celuia Salee had occupied Mer Island in the Torres Strait before colonial occupation.
That decision recognised that the rights of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander over their lands have survived

The final day of National Reconciliation Week every year is one of the most significant in Australia.

Mabo Day, celebrated annually on 3 June, commemorates Mer Island man Eddie Koiki Mabo and his successful advocacy to overturn the legal fiction of terra nullius, or ‘land belonging to no-one’.

Following the High Court’s Mabo decision, Australia’s Federal Parliament passed the Native Title Act 1993 which established a legal framework for native title claims throughout Australia by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

and Mabo Day are a reminder to be ‘All In’ to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to commit ourselves to reconciliation and the fight for First Nations justice in Australia.

🎞️ To learn more about Mabo and the High Court case, check out ‘Judgment: Cases That Changed Australia’ on ABC iview: https://ab.co/4uGzxcT

In the lead up to on 17 May we’re celebrating
🌈 equality
🌈 acceptance
🌈 & diversity
Happy IDAHOBIT to our diverse Canberra community!

https://www.jobs.act.gov.au/opportunities/all

Recruitment: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner.
ACT govt is recruiting for this role.
Closing 15 May
Check ACT Gov jobs site for more👇

All opportunities - Careers and Employment Administrative Services Officer Class 3 ($78,755 - $84,284) | PN70758 - 02PPP Canberra Health Services Closes: 31 March 2026

https://www.actlawsociety.asn.au/events/ACTHR-exploring-uncharted-territory
EVENT: we're looking forward to this session with human rights expert Kylie Evans KC which we're delivering in partnership with the ACT Law Society & ACT Bar Association
⚖️Kylie will explore those areas of law where the ACT Human Rights Act is underutilised, but where it may prove consequential in legal advocacy
⚖️ Kylie is a leading expert in human rights law & has appeared in numerous key cases raising human rights in the ACT & across other Australian jurisdictions
📆25 May, 4:30-6:30PM
📍ACT Law Society Training Room
👇Registrations

Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory - Litigating the Human Rights Act: Exploring Unchartered Territory Litigating the Human Rights Act: Exploring Unchartered Territory

A huge thanks to Tyronne and Jai Bell for the informative & fascinating Ngunawal language workshop delivered to staff recently. Tyrone and Jai shared so much knowledge about the language & Ngunawal custodians of this beautiful region 🙏👏🙌