On 1 July, Australia’s first truth-telling inquiry, the Yoorrook Justice Commission, concluded that Aboriginal people in the state of Victoria experienced genocide and crimes against humanity as a consequence of British colonisation, starting from 1834. The findings are based on a four-year Aboriginal-led inquiry, drawing from public hearings, public submissions and documentary evidence. The report details atrocities that include mass killings, sexual violence, and child removals, among other things. It delivers 100 recommendations calling for redress (including financial compensation) and systemic reforms across education, housing, land, health and child protection. The report also calls for the establishment of a permanent First Nations’ representative body that would be given decision-making powers at all levels of government. The Victoria state government tabled the report in parliament on 1 July, stating that it will consider all recommendations.

Sources: ABC News, Human Rights Law Centre, BBC News, The Guardian, Premier of Victoria

On 3 May, Australia held the 48th federal election for both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Labor Party, led by Anthony Albanese, secured a second consecutive term, winning 94 of 150 seats in the House of Representatives, with the opposition Liberal-National Coalition securing 43 seats. Voter turnout stood at 90.7 per cent, a slight increase from 89.7 per cent in the previous 2022 election. Voting is compulsory in Australia. Preliminary election results show that approximately 69 (49.1 per cent) women will be elected to parliament, an increase from 58 (38 per cent) women elected to the 47th Parliament. According to media reports, the election was conducted efficiently and transparently, with no instance of irregularities. However, some challenges during the campaigning period were noted, including misinformation, resource allocation, and political parties intervening in the postal voting process. 

Sources: Australian Election Commission, ABC News, Australian Financial Review, Institute of Community Directors, The Australia Institute 

Preliminary election results indicate that approximately 69 women (out of 151 total seats), representing 45.7 per cent, were elected to the House of Representatives in Australia’s federal election held on 3 May. This marks an increase from the previous polls in 2022, when 58 women (38.4 per cent) were elected. Political analysts note that the Labor Party’s gender quota for the candidate nomination process established decades ago helped drive this progress, whereby 56 per cent of the newly elected Labor MPs are women. Approximately 43 women (out of 76 total seat), representing 56.6 per cent, were elected to the Senate, marking an increase from 32 (42.1 per cent) in the 2022 election. Additionally, the new federal cabinet of election winner Prime Minister Anthony Albanese includes a record-breaking 12 women and 11 men.

Sources: The Conversation, ABC News, Institute of Community Directors, The Australia Institute 

On 9 February, the Australian government announced that it would invest AUD 573 million (approximately USD 361 million) in women’s health over five years, aimed at improving affordability and access to contraception and menopausal hormone therapy. The package of measures adds contraceptive pills to the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) for the first time in decades and reduces the costs of menopause treatment. The government estimates these measures could save up to 300,000 Australian women around AUD 400 annually in out-of-pocket expenses for birth control devices like intrauterine devices (IUDs). Those undergoing menopause treatment could save up to AUD 290 annually – or AUD 577 for pensioners or low-income individuals. Health experts and women’s rights advocates have praised the package as a significant step toward a more equitable healthcare system. The announcement follows extensive consultations with women, healthcare providers and advocacy groups and is informed by the findings of two separate Senate inquiries.

Sources: The Guardian, Commonwealth of Australia, The University of Melbourne

On 20 February, the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 2025 received Royal Assent after clearing the Senate, ending decades of gridlock on campaign finance reforms. The legislation lowers the donation disclosure threshold for a candidate or political party from AUD 16,900 to 5,000 (approximately USD 3,000) and mandates faster publication of disclosures. The law also introduces caps on donations and electoral spending to limit the influence of money in politics. While considered a step toward transparency, critics argue that the rushed and secretive legislative process lacked proper parliamentary or civil society scrutiny. Legal experts and rights advocates say concerns remain over loopholes favouring major parties over independents and minor parties. The law will take effect after this year’s federal election, with experts urging further reforms from the incoming parliament.  

Sources: The Australia Institute, Verfassungsblog, The Conversation, Australian Electoral Commission, ABC News

On 28 November, Australia’s parliament approved the world’s first law banning social media for children aged 16 and under. The ban will take effect in a year, with a trial for enforcement methods starting in January. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 seeks to protect young people from the harmful impacts of social media. The government plans to use age-verification technology to implement the restrictions, with tech companies fined up to AUD 50 million (USD 33 million) if they don’t prevent children from holding accounts. Australia’s communications minister Michelle Rowland indicated the ban would likely include Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X. The law was rushed through parliament with limited opportunity for debate and public consultation. Critics and digital rights experts have questioned the provisions for enforcement, as well as raised privacy, freedom of speech and social connection concerns for young people. It remains to be seen how the ban will be implemented and in consequence its impact on freedom of expression.

Sources: Reuters, BBC News, NPR, Australian Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International

On 28 November, Australia’s parliament passed three migration laws that expand its offshore detention policies, enabling third-country resettlement of non-citizens without adhering to Refugee Convention safeguards. The bills consist of the Migration Amendment Bill 2024, the Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2024 and the Migration (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024. The laws allow officials to pursue prison terms for those who resist deportation, including asylum seekers. The Australian government says the bills are in accordance with the country’s international non-refoulement obligations and will help the issue of non-citizens refusing to be resettled in New Zealand. Legal and rights experts have criticized the haste with which parliament passed the bills. Australian migration advocates note that the laws deliver a dangerous setback for refugees’ and asylum seekers' rights, imposing punitive and disproportionate punishment to those most vulnerable.

Sources: Human Rights Watch, Human Rights Law Centre, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, ABC News, Law council of Australia, SBS News, The Guardian