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Australia Reports on Rights of Persons with Disabilities to UN

December 6, 2010

The Federal Government is to deliver Australia’s first report under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to the United Nations. Finalising Australia’s first report coincided with the International Day of People with a Disability (December 3rd).

In a joint statement the Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Jan McLucas said the Government is committed to removing barriers faced by persons with disabilities and accommodating the diverse needs of people with a disability to enable them to enjoy their rights on an equal basis with all Australians.

Under the Disabilities Convention, Australia is required to periodically submit a report on measures taken to promote the rights and freedoms of those with a disability.  The statement says the report outlines some of the major initiatives taken by the Federal Government to improve the lives of people with disability.

In particular, the report acknowledges the key role the National Disability Strategy will play in helping Australia fulfil its obligations by establishing a framework to promote, protect and monitor the implementation of the Convention.

The report also provides information on a range of measures taken by governments across Australia.

The Report notes work in progress, including the Government’s decision to commission an inquiry into a national long-term care and support scheme for persons with disabilities in Australia. The inquiry is being conducted by the Productivity Commission, which will report to Government in July 2011.

For Australia’s report to the United Nations on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities  please click here.

Australia Ratified UN Disabilities Convention

18 July 2008

Australia — Australia has today ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, making Australia one of the first Western countries to ratify the Convention.

Australia joins 29 other countries around the world in a move that aims to promote a global community in which all people with disability are equal and active citizens.

"Ratifying the Convention clearly demonstrates the Rudd Government's international commitment to ensuring people with disability are treated equally and not as second-class citizens," Attorney-General Robert McClelland said.

"This significant achievement is the result of substantial collaboration by Government and Non-Government stakeholders," Mr McClelland said.

"I applaud the co-operation of these bodies who have successfully worked together to promote this historic international instrument," Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith said.

"Australia has a long-standing commitment to upholding and safeguarding the rights of people with disability and ratifying the Convention sends this unequivocal message to the world," Mr Shorten said.

The ratification, which took place overnight in New York, comes after the Rudd Government expedited its ratification processes and the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties supported taking binding treaty action last month.

It also means Australia can participate in the inaugural election of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Committee will oversee the implementation of the Convention.

Media Contact: Adam Sims, Mr McClelland's Office, 0419 480 224

Courtney Hoogen, Mr Smith's Office, 0488 244 901
Vincent Tulley, Mr Shorten's Office, 0409 244 865

Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 o Telephone (02) 6277 7300 o Fax (02) 6273 4102 www.attorneygeneral.gov.au

 

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