This report tells the stories of Australians who were impacted by Australia's COVID-19 pandemic response measures – including border closures, lockdowns, school disruptions, quarantine and healthcare restrictions – and asks how human rights can be better safeguarded during future emergencies. 

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed significant tensions between public health priorities and individual rights. While Australia’s government responses during the pandemic helped save lives, this report found that human rights impacts were not always considered or protected. Many people and communities said they felt they were overlooked or left isolated due to blanket and inflexible policies that failed to consider local realities.

The report recommends that all levels of government in Australia adopt an Emergency Response Framework underpinned by key principles designed to protect human rights.