Recommendation 213

In early 2016, the Australian Government committed to undertake national consultations on the implementation of the Guiding Principles. Consultations were led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in close cooperation with the Attorney General's Department (AGD) and other relevant Australian Government Departments. Consultations began in May 2016 and included:

• Partnering with the Global Compact Network Australia (GCNA) to hold consultations with business in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
• Consultations with civil society, convened by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and the Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC)
• Participation in the GCNA and Australian Human Rights Commission's Annual Dialogue on Business and Human Rights in October 2016.
• Addressing the implementation of the Guiding Principles in DFAT's annual Human Rights Forum with civil society groups, including anti-slavery organisations and the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
• Consultations with Whole of Government agencies through an Inter-Departmental Committee.
• Consultations with other countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark.
• Consultations with multilateral organisations, including the UN Working Group on human rights and transitional corporations and other business enterprises, and the International Labour Organization.
• The establishment of a Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group on Implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights on 2 June, 2017.  

The Australian Government is focusing on a number of key initiatives to action the Guiding Principles and further business and human rights in Australia.