Recommendation 86

Australia supports and respects the principles in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and considers that our laws, policies and programmes are consistent with, and give effect to, the aims of the declaration.

The rights of Indigenous peoples in Australia are protected by legislation such as the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) and state and territory laws. The Australian Government continues to promote and strengthen the rights of Indigenous peoples through a range of policies and programmes. Information on policies and programmes can be found on the Indigenous affairs page on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

Australia has had a dedicated federal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner since 1993. The Commissioner is established within the Australian Human Rights Commission by Part IIA of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986(Cth). The Commissioner’s functions include promoting discussion and awareness of human rights in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Commissioner also undertakes programmes (including research and educational programmes) to promote respect for the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to promote the enjoyment and exercise of human rights by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Information about the current Commissioner and work underway can be found on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice page on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of engaging in good faith consultations with Indigenous peoples in relation to decisions that affect them. It engages with Indigenous people on issues that affect them through the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Regional Network, the Indigenous Advisory Council, Indigenous community based organisations and other bodies. Information on how the Australian Government is giving Indigenous people a greater say in decisions that affect them through supporting the Indigenous led Empowered Communities initiative can be found on the Empowered Communities page on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

For information on state and territory policies and programmes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, visit:

• Australian Capital Territory – Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
• New South Wales – Office of Communities—Aboriginal Affairs
• Northern Territory – Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Queensland – Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
• South Australia – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Community Advice and Support
• Tasmania – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Victoria – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Victoria
• Western Australia – Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage