Human Rights Videos

Interviews with Lorraine Finlay,

Human Rights Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission

Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner with the Australian Human Rights Commission, sat down to chat on camera with one of our Paralegals, Kate, at the Rule of Law Education Centre about human rights in Australia.

The first video provides a discussion on various aspects of the promotion, protection and enforcement of rights in an Australian context and covers not only human rights basics, but also discussions on how we prioritise rights, the introduction of an Australian Bill of Rights in the Constitution, Asylum seekers, the rule of law and the recent High Court decision in the case of NZYQ, and the role of the Australian Human Rights Commission and its relationship with the Australian Government.

Three contemporary issues videos provide an examination of Modern Slavery, the impacts of Artificial Intelligence on human rights and the right to free speech in Australia. These videos also look at how in Australia we address the tensions between conflicting rights and opinions in meeting the needs of members of the Australian community.

Video 1:  Human Rights Explainer

Human Rights and Modern Slavery

Human Rights and Artificial Intelligence

Human Rights and Freedom of Speech

Further Articles by Human Rights Commissioner

Further Resources on Human Rights

Understanding Human Rights in Australia

Video 1: Understanding Human Rights in Australia

  1. What is the relationship between human rights and the rule of law? (At 0.40 minutes Video 1)
  2. Rights in Australia are protected by a combination of the Constitution, Statute Law and Common Law. Which is the most effective way to have rights protected? (At 3.00 minutes Video 1)
  3. Should Australia have a Bill of Rights? What are the Pros and Cons? (At 4.19  minutes Video 1)
  4. What are some potential conflicting rights if Australia was to introduce a Bill of Rights? (At 5.48  minutes Video 1)
  5. What are some examples of rights protected by the common law? (At 6.28  minutes Video 1)
  6. Do any Government policies or laws conflict with Human Rights Acts eg in Victoria, ACT and Qld ? (At 7.37  minutes Video 1)
  7. What legal remedies are there if Australia doesn’t have a Charter of Rights? (At 9.29  minutes Video 1)
  8. What is the role of the Australian Human Rights Commission and what power do they have? (At 11.25 minutes Video 1)
  9. What does the Australian Human Rights Commission do to protect Human Rights? (At 12.47 minutes Video 1)
  10. What is the relationship between the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Government? (At 13.40 minutes Video 1)
  11. Does the Australian Human Rights Commission operate on an international level? (At 14.42 minutes Video 1)
  12. Are there some Human Rights that need greater protection than others? (At 16.11 minutes Video 1)
  13. Are there any rights that are currently being focused on by the Australian Human Rights Commission? (At 17.08 minutes Video 1)
  14. How is the recent High Court decision NZYQ important from a human rights and rule of law perspective? (At 18.55 minutes Video 1)
  15. Are there any human rights that are more important for young people and what do young people need to know and do in regards to human rights? (At 20.20 minutes Video 1)

Contemporary Issues in Human Rights

Modern Slavery

  1. What is Modern Slavery and how does it relate to human rights? (At 0.26 minutes Video 2)
  2.  Is there Modern Slavery in Australia? (At 1.42 minutes Video 2)
  3. How does the law provide protection against Modern Slavery in Australia? (At 2.54 minutes Video 2)
  4. What can be done to improve the protections for Modern Slavery? (At 3.58 minutes Video 2)
  5. How can current responses to Modern Slavery be more effective? (At 5.39 minutes Video 2)
  6. What is the Chocolate Scorecard? (At 7.06 minutes Video 2)
  7. What does the Australian Human Rights Commissioner do in response to Modern Slavery? (At 9.16 minutes Video 2)
  8. What effect has developing technologies impacted on Modern Slavery? (At 10.36 minutes Video 2)

Artificial Intelligence

  1. What areas of Human Rights are challenged by developing A1 technology (At 0.28 minutes)
  2. Are vulnerable people more impacted by the potential impacts of AI? (At 3.55 minutes)
  3. Are there further Human Rights challenges likely to arise with the development of AI? (At 5.20 minutes)
  4. What is LAWS (Lethal Autonomous Weapons)? (At 6.45 minutes)
  5. What challenges do lawmakers face in keeping up with developing technology? (At 8.44 minutes Video 2)
  6. Are there ways for AI and developing technologies to be used to protect and promote human rights? (At 10.04 minutes)

Freedom of Speech

  1. What is Freedom of Speech and how has it developed as a right?
  2. How is Freedom of Speech balanced with violations of other human rights such as discrimination or harassment? (At 1.41 minutes)
  3. What are some restrictions of Freedom of Speech? What is section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act? (At 4.10 minutes)
  4. Examples that elaborate on why Freedom of Speech is a fundamental human right? (At 5.50 minutes)

Further Articles by Australian Human Rights Commission

Further Resources by Rule of Law Education Centre 

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