Complaints to the ACT Human Rights Commission increased by 25 per cent in the last financial year, according to the Commission’s 2024-25 annual report.

The Discrimination, Health Services, Disability and Community Services Commissioner Karen Toohey received 1706 complaints, a 25 per cent increase from 2023-24, and a 48 per cent increase over the last three years.

“Significant increases in complaints received are due to an expansion of complaint jurisdictions, and also reflect the work Commissioner Toohey has done to provide Canberrans with an accessible, timely and fair complaints process,” Commission President and Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Penelope Mathew said.

“Amidst growing demand for our services, the Commission’s work has also continued to expand into new areas, such as the recent addition of the Information Privacy Commissioner role to Commissioner Toohey’s portfolio.

“The new right to a healthy environment in the Human Rights Act (HR Act) is another significant area of work for the Commission. The ACT is the first jurisdiction in Australia to enshrine the right to a healthy environment in law.

“Further, the Commission was pleased to see the right to housing recognised in a new law passed in September, just after the end of the reporting period for the 2024-25 annual report.”

In other key data from the annual report:

• Victim Support ACT (VSACT) saw a 4 per cent increase in the number of victims of crime using case co-ordination compared to 2023-24; and a 43 per cent increase over the last five years.
• VSACT also had a 10 per cent increase in the number of victims applying for financial assistance.
• Human Rights Commissioner Mathew provided a total of 68 written legal advices, comments and submissions and intervened in four new cases in the ACT Supreme Court.
• Sustained demand for the ACT Public Advocate saw 12,168 compliance documents processed.
• The Children and Young People Commissioner, Jodie Griffiths-Cook, engaged directly with 1095 children and young people and reached 456 through surveys and polls.
• Commissioner Griffiths-Cook supported Canberra organisations to implement the ACT Child Safe Standards Scheme, engaging with more than 800 people from over 250 organisations
• Referrals to the Intermediary Program increased significantly, with 586 referrals over 2024-25, a 33 per cent increase on 2023-24. The program also saw a 42 per cent increase in all court referrals in 2024-25, compared to 2023-24.