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6 Giving effect to the Declaration


6.1 Introduction

Throughout my term, I have continually emphasised the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples[565] (the Declaration).

The Declaration is the most comprehensive and advanced international instrument dealing with Indigenous peoples’ rights.[566] It defines the minimum standards necessary for the survival, dignity and well-being of indigenous peoples of the world.[567]

Importantly, the Declaration was drafted collaboratively between Indigenous peoples and governments from around the world.[568] In this way, the Declaration is a very empowering document for our peoples – it is our document, written by us, for us, as an expression of our right to self-determination.

I have said previously that the Declaration is a compass to guide the future of our communities.[569] We need to assist our communities to be in a position where they can breathe life into the Declaration and make it a useful tool for our everyday lives.

This chapter sets out a path for advancing the implementation of the Declaration within Australia, and the benefits that will result from this.

It reflects on the Declaration Dialogues that have been held by the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) and the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the country over the past year.[570]

It also highlights the need for improved engagement and concrete action to embed the Declaration in activities by all sectors of society: by governments, civil society, the private sector, and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

6.2 Steps taken by the Australian Government to implement the Declaration

Five years have now passed since Australia made its formal commitment to the Declaration on 3 April 2009.[571]

In 2013, I felt the Australian Government had finally accepted that it has a moral, if not legal, obligation to implement the Declaration in Australia.[572]

This was marked by a joint statement between the Commission and the Australian Government at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, formally committing the government to work with the Commission and the National Congress to:

[I]ncrease awareness of, and encourage dialogue about, the Declaration in policy development, program implementation and service delivery as a way to embed the Declaration in how business is done.[573]

In recent years, we have seen a range of positive commitments from successive Australian Governments to implement the provisions of the Declaration.

The Labour Government introduced the National Action Plan on Human Rights,[574] which contains a number of commitments that relate to the Declaration. The same government also presented its interim report to the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodical Review on 10 June 2013.

In May 2014, the current Australian Government identified the steps that they have taken to implement the Declaration at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.[575]

At the time of preparing this report in September 2014,[576] the Australian Government played a leading role at the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP). The WCIP Outcome Document commits Member States to develop, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, national measures to achieve the ends of the Declaration.

Australia agreed to this Outcomes Document, which is a collective commitment by Member States to focused action on the Declaration and Indigenous rights:

We commit ourselves to taking, in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples, appropriate measures at the national level, including legislative, policy and administrative measures, to achieve the ends of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to promote awareness of it among all sectors of society, including members of legislatures, the judiciary and the civil service.

We commit ourselves to cooperating with indigenous peoples, through their own representative institutions, to develop and implement national action plans, strategies or other measures, where relevant, to achieve the ends of the Declaration.[577]

While this commitment is significant and builds on an already strong and supportive relationship between the Commission and the Australian Government, there is further work to do. I note the recent publication of Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Handbook for Parliamentarians[578] which is a practical guideline for better understanding the Declaration, providing practical ideas for its implementation and best practice examples from across the world.In this report, I have already noted my concern about the lack of respectful engagement with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in relation to recent budget cuts and the national restructure of programs and services. I also repeat my call for the Declaration to be included in the definition of human rights in the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 (Cth).[579] Significantly, we still have much work to do to implement the Declaration at the local level. There is a particular need for practical guidance to achieve this.

And we still lack a distinct, targeted and tangible plan setting out the way forward.

6.3 Giving effect to the Declaration

As I have discussed previously, there are four mechanisms that can be used to give effect to the Declaration in Australia:

  • The ‘principled’ approach: This involves identifying the key, underlying principles of the Declaration and creating practical guidance on how each article can be brought into effect.
  • Duties of States: This involves making the Australian Government accountable for directly implementing the Declaration. There are at least 19 articles which impose duties on governments to undertake a range of cultural, consultative and legislative measures.
  • Referencing the Declaration: This approach promotes the referencing of the Declaration at every available opportunity – from inclusion in government plans and strategy, to its use in Indigenous governance structures and relationships.
  • Auditing compliance: This involves scrutinising existing legislation, policies and programs to ensure compliance with the identified underpinning principles of the Declaration.[580]

The four main principles that underpin the Declaration are: self-determination; participation in decision-making, underpinned by free, prior and informed consent and good faith; respect for and protection of culture; and equality and non-discrimination.[581]

While the ‘principled’ approach is a good starting point to increase understanding about the Declaration and its potential impact, the other mechanisms are also necessary to properly give effect to the Declaration.

While, to some extent, these mechanisms are already used by the Australian Government, the Declaration should be the basis of all of the work that government does with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Declaration should be the building block for policies, legislation and programs. The same point applies equally to business and community organisations in their dealings with our peoples.

To this end, I highlight again the need for a National Implementation Strategy (National Strategy) setting out a plan to give effect to the Declaration in Australia.

To discuss what a National Strategy means for us in the Australian context, last year I flagged that the Commission would work with Congress to conduct Declaration Dialogues with our communities and organisations, all levels of government, businesses and non-governmental organisations.

(a) The Declaration Dialogues

I am pleased to report that these Declaration Dialogues occurred during this reporting period.

To date, approximately 260 people have attended 14 Dialogues held in 6 states and territories.[582] Participants have included people who have self-identified as Traditional Owners, Elders, land councils, academics, education providers, medical service providers, large non-governmental organisations and government workers, as well as interested individuals and community members.

In preparation for the Declaration Dialogues, the Commission produced community education and engagement materials to raise awareness of the Declaration (with generous support from philanthropic funders).[583] These resources include a plain-English community guide, posters, a DVD and an interactive website,[584] aimed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, government, the private sector and civil society.

Following this, we produced a set of papers on the Declaration to guide the Declaration Dialogue consultations. These papers were based around the development of a National Strategy,[585] self-determination,[586] participation,[587] protection of culture[588] and equality and non-discrimination.[589] Tools were then produced to support the delivery of the discussions.

The Declaration Dialogues were then carried out across the country in partnership with the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples (Congress). I thank Congress for their dedication to, and facilitation of, this important project.

In summary, the purpose of the Declaration Dialogues was to:

  • raise awareness of the Declaration
  • develop an agreed approach to give full effect to the Declaration
  • facilitate discussion between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, governments and other relevant stakeholders
  • develop a National Strategy on the Declaration.[590]


It is hoped that once the National Strategy has been reached by consensus, it will be adopted by all relevant stakeholders at a National Summit.[591]

(b) Findings of the Declaration Dialogues

At each Dialogue, presentations and group workshops were conducted to inform people about the content of the Declaration. The key message was: ‘Get It. Know It. Use It’. The questions asked in the Dialogues are included in Appendix 3.[592]

I have identified a number of benefits of the Declaration Dialogues.

(i) Raising awareness

The Declaration Dialogues were well attended and received. I believe this is an excellent model for raising awareness about the Declaration. While most of the data collection has occurred for the purposes of developing the National Strategy, the Commission looks forward to working with any sectors or communities that wish to run a Declaration Dialogue, as part of an ongoing awareness raising strategy.

The Declaration Dialogues built awareness and understanding amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Text Box 6.1: Quotes from participants at Declaration Dialogues about their awareness

Text description follows

Text description of above image:

‘Now I understand my rights much more and can formulate a stronger argument when they are violated’
(Youth-specific participant)

‘I have got it, I know more and I will use it.’ 
(Port Augusta Dialogue participant)

‘I am now aware that the Declaration exists and I think it is important for more First Nations peoples to come to future workshops. I now understand where to go for support in regards to my rights.’ 
(Brisbane Dialogue participant)

‘Thank you - I have learnt that I have more rights than I thought I had.’
(Wagga Wagga Dialogue participant)

‘I have learnt the importance of implementing the Declaration whenever I can in the workplace and using it to guide my behaviour in the workplace.’
(Port Augusta Dialogue participant)

‘Through the Declaration Articles I will be more forthright… in my resolve to improve the life of [my peoples] .’
(Cairns Dialogue participant)

 

It is uplifting to see our peoples take ownership of the Declaration, and to begin to use it in everyday life.

(ii) Identifying areas of improvement for a National Strategy

The Declaration Dialogues collected information which will be used to develop a strategy to give effect to the rights contained in the Declaration. These included:

Leadership: People told me that we need appropriate levels of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in all levels of government. Our mob wants to lead the conversations rather than just be included. We need to nurture our future leaders.

We need people to be part of the change from the inside, not critical from the outside.
- Canberra Dialogue participant

Governance: I heard that our communities want to choose and determine their own structures for decision-making and governance. This includes bodies like Congress, our peak organisations, as well as recognition of pre-colonisation structures.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples want more management of our own affairs, resources and economies.

Self-determination can be described as a car. The government has taken the keys to that car by colonising this Country and its First Peoples. Because they have the keys does not mean they own the car. We still own the car; we just need to take back the keys!
- Perth Dialogue participant

All sectors need to improve on responsibility and accountability. People told me that they also recognise the need for organisation and cooperation amongst ourselves.

We need to have a structure to our meetings, aimed at reaching a decision or consensus. Otherwise meetings can be de-railed and we fail to progress issues, and decisions get made without us.
- Coffs Harbour Dialogue participants

Legislation and policy: Legislation and policy reform are important to realising all of the underpinning principles of the Declaration. Participants discussed the need for reform by introducing legislation to give effect to the Declaration and ratifying the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 169. Our people want existing protections, such as those in s 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act and in native title legislation, to be preserved and not ‘watered down’.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples want legislation that specifically protects cultural heritage to be consistent across jurisdictions, and more work done to protect Indigenous languages. Our peoples would like to see a discussion about establishing a national Indigenous cultural authority.

To have self-determination, you need to know who you are. Keeping our cultural identity, language and values can’t be measured in price. It is priceless. If we don’t maintain our languages and cultural values then we are nobody.
- Broome Dialogue participant

Relationships and engagement: I heard from participants that we need to heal relationships within our communities, and also between our communities, governments and business.

Repeatedly I heard that in order to build better relationships and have more meaningful engagement, governments, businesses and service providers need leaders, employees and contractors that are more culturally competent. All sectors need to respect the particular cultural protocols of each community, ask for permission and make sure that they speak to the entire community.

We need to empower communities to say No. The bottom line is that if you don’t respect our culture and rights, we will not engage with you or do business with you.
- Canberra Dialogue participant


Our communities also said that we need to improve relationships with each other, and this required reconciling our own communities, building community cohesion, respect and working together in a unified way.

Internal processes: All sectors need to reduce the administrative burden and simplify their reporting structures for communities and community organisations. All sectors need to obtain ‘free, prior and informed consent’ from our communities about decisions that affect us. This includes allowing a flexible amount of time to engage in meaningful consultation.

Governments, mining companies and developers are full of talk. But they need to walk the walk.
- Cairns Dialogue participant

Capacity building: Building capacity at a governmental and business level means increasing cultural competency at all levels. For communities, it means improving individual and organisational capability, and being confident to use the Declaration to lobby for improvements.

The ‘Care bear’ organisations (e.g. non-Aboriginal service providers like Anglicare, Uniting Care, Centrecare, etc) must have culturally aware staff so that our people can feel comfortable talking to them and using their services.
- Brisbane Dialogue participant

Our people warn against governments and service providers implementing pre- designed programs or services. One size does not fit all and communities want to be consulted about the design and implementation of programs and services.

Resources: Participants raised lack of funding as an impediment to the improvements that they wished to implement. They commented on the need for long term funding cycles combined with streamlined application, monitoring and reporting.

(iii) The business sector and the Declaration

In 2000, the United Nations Global Compact[593] (Global Compact) formed as the United Nations’ (and the world’s largest) corporate citizenship and sustainability initiative.[594]

Text Box 6.2: The Global Compact Network Australia and the Indigenous Engagement Working Group

The Global Compact encourages businesses to align their operations and strategies with ten principles to develop and implement sustainable practices and policies.[595]

More than 111 Australian organisations have publicly committed to supporting and respecting human rights within their business practices by becoming signatories to the Global Compact.[596]

In December 2013, the Global Compact launched the Business Reference Guide to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Business Reference Guide), which provides practical guidance to businesses seeking to respect and support the human rights of Indigenous peoples.[597]

The Global Compact Network Australia (GCNA) aims to help Australian Global Compact signatories to integrate and operationalise the ‘ten principles of the Global Compact within their business practices and strategy and to support broader UN goals’.[598]

In support of their membership and commitment to the global compact principles, some Australian companies incorporate human rights into their annual reporting and their policies and practices.[599]

The GCNA has established an Indigenous Engagement Working Group (IEWG),[600] which the Commission is a member of, alongside a number of Australian businesses. The IEWG promotes the importance of positive Indigenous engagement, provides a platform for Australian businesses to share leading practices and collectively advance Indigenous rights in Australia.

 

The GCNA and the Commission recently partnered to hold the National Dialogue on Business and Human Rights.[601] This was the first national Australian multi-sector, multi-stakeholder dialogue on business and human rights, which brought together over 100 representatives of business, civil society and government to discuss human rights and business. A specific session was held on the Declaration and a rights-based approach to Indigenous engagement.

Participants agreed that we need to move the conversation along actively and meaningfully. There was also consensus that the conversation has largely moved beyond ‘why’ business should respect Indigenous and human rights, to the practical questions about ‘how’ to effectively do so, including through implementing the Declaration in Australia.[602]

The Dialogue highlighted the positive work that many Australian businesses are undertaking through their Reconciliation Action Plans and community engagement. It is important to continue the constructive dialogue and share stories of how businesses are taking action to respect and support the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Australian businesses are key players in the realisation and enjoyment of human rights. It is therefore critical to involve the business sector in the development of the National Strategy and secure their support for a plan to give effect to the Declaration. Engaging with business on human rights is a priority in the Commission’s 2014-2018 Strategic Plan.[603]

Discussions have commenced, being led by KPMG Australia, who contributed to the Global Compact taskforce and Expert Group convened to develop the Business Reference Guide. Plans are underway to convene an Industry-specific Dialogue in 2014-15 to start discussions about the National Strategy.[604]

My office has also held a number of engagement meetings with key industry representatives such as KPMG Australia, Lend Lease, Qantas and Westpac in relation to furthering the Industry-specific Dialogue.

6.4 Conclusion and recommendations

Momentum is building towards realising the rights contained in the Declaration in Australia.

Our Declaration Dialogues have shown that communities find the Declaration to be an empowering tool that they can use to assert their rights in everyday life.

Hundreds of businesses are demonstrating their willingness and commitment to use the Declaration as a basis for their engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Global Compact, GCNA and IEWG are a solid foundation to build this work.

Having said this, we still have work to do.

The time is right to develop a National Strategy to give effect to the Declaration, with governments and the community sector. While some of these representatives have attended our Declaration Dialogues, direct engagement about implementation needs to occur.

I am confident that progress can be made in the coming year. This is as a result of the positive engagement from the Dialogues to date and from engagement with the business sector, together with the Government’s support of the WCIP Outcome Document.

In saying this, I encourage the Australian Government to build on the relationships nurtured in the WCIP consultation process and use the Declaration as a foundation for future relationships and engagement.

Recommendations

Recommendation 5: The Australian Government agrees to engage with the National Implementation Strategy to give effect to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Recommendation 6: The Australian Government amends the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 (Cth) to include the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the definition of human rights.

 


[565] United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007.
[566] C Charters and R Stavenhagen, ‘The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: How It
Came to be and What it Heralds’ in C Charters and R Stavenhagen (eds), Making the Declaration
Work – The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2009), p 10. At http://www.internationalfunders.org/documents/MakingtheDeclarationWork.pdf (viewed 1 October 2014).
[567] United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007, art 43.
[568] J Bishop , Address to the United Nations World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (Speech delivered at the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, New York, 23 September 2014), para 10. At http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/Pages/2014/jb_sp_140923.aspx (viewed 1 October 2014).
[569] M Gooda, Social Justice and Native Title Report 2013, Australian Human Rights Commission (2013), p 91. At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/social-justice-and-native-title-report-2013
(viewed 1 October 2014).
[570] For an overview of this see: Australian Human Rights Commission, Declaration Dialogue Series - Discussion Paper 1: Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – Giving Full Effect to the Declaration – A National Strategy (July 2013) p 8. At: https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/2014_AHRC_DD_1_Strategy.pdf (viewed 1 October 2014).
[571] J Macklin, Statement on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, (Speech delivered at Parliament House, Canberra, 3 April 2009). At: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/Australia_official_statement_endorsement_UNDRIP.pdf (viewed 1 October 2014).
[572] M Gooda, note 5, pp 91-92.
[573] M Doherty and J Bedford, Joint Statement by the Australian Government and the Australian Human Rights Commission on Agenda Item 7: Implementing the Declaration (Delivered at the 12th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, New York, 20-31 May 2013). At http://www.docip.org/greenstone/collect/cendocdo/index/assoc/HASH016e/e…‘Mandy DOHERTY’ (viewed 1 October 2014).
[574] Commonwealth of Australia, Australia’s National Human Rights Action Plan (2012). At http://www.ag.gov.au%2FConsultations%2FDocuments%2FNationalHumanRightsActionPlan%2FNational%2520Human%2520Rights%2520Action%2520Plan.doc&ei=hKk8VMqiCtP88AXrp4GwDQ&usg=AFQjCNGkeXOGeDFuKju_GJjqhBDF3ZgUIA&bvm=bv.77161500,d.dGc (viewed 1 October 2014).
[575] T Rishniw, Australian Government Statement to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (Delivered at the thirteenth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, New York, 21 May 2014). At http://papersmart.unmeetings.org/media2/3346197/australia.pdf (viewed 1 October 2014).
[576] Whilst outside of the reporting period, it is an important development impacting the implementation of the Declaration and was therefore included in this report.
[577] Outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, GA Res 66, UN Doc No A/69/L.1, 2014, paras 7-8. At http://wcip2014.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/N1453491-WCIP-FINAL-DOCUMENT-EN.pdf (viewed 1 October 2014).
[578] Inter Parliamentary Union, Handbook for Parliamentarians, note 3, p 4. This was launched outside of the reporting period in September 2014, in conjunction with the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples.
[579] M Gooda, note 5, p 95. See also Australian Human Rights Commission, Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010 and the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2010 (7 July 2010), para 17. At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/human-rights-parliamentary-scrutiny-bill-2010-and-human-rights-parliamentary-scrutiny-consequential
(viewed 1 October 2014).
[580] M Gooda, note 5, p 93.
[581] I have written extensively about these principles in the Social Justice and Native Title Reports over the past three years. For example, see M Gooda, Social Justice Report 2011, Australian Human Rights Commission (2011), ch 3. At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/social-justice-report-2011 (viewed 1 October 2014); M Gooda, Native Title Report 2011, Australian Human Rights Commission (2011), ch 3. At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/native-title-report-2011 (viewed 1 October 2014); M Gooda, Social Justice Report 2012, Australian Human Rights Commission (2012), ch 2. At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/social-justice-report-2012 (viewed 1 October 2014); M Gooda, Native Title Report 2012, Australian Human Rights Commission (2012), ch 2. At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/native-title-report-2012 (viewed 1 October 2014); M Gooda, note 5, ch 3.
[582] The dialogues were held in Perth, Western Australia (Youth Specific, 20 August 2013), Perth, Western Australia (General, 21 August 2013), Thursday Island, Queensland (29 August 2013), Broome, Western Australia (20 September 2013), Alice Springs, Northern Territory (14 October 2013), Darwin, Northern Territory (11 November 2013), Wagga Wagga, New South Wales (18 November 2013), Cairns, Queensland (22 November 2013), National Youth-specific, Randwick New South Wales (12 February 2014), Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (27 May 2014), Coffs Harbour, New South Wales (4 June 2014), Brisbane, Queensland (13 June 2014), Port Augusta, South Australia (17 June 2014) and Adelaide, South Australia (19 June 2014).
[583] Funded by The Christensen Fund, Oxfam and Congress from 2012-2014: a pocket-sized version of the Declaration, a plain-English community guide, a summary community guide (pamphlet style), a double-sided poster that includes the full text of the Declaration, an introductory DVD (12 minutes) to the Declaration, the Declaration interactive website, the Declaration Twitter account (#getiknowituseit). The social media account was established and is administered by the Commission. At https://twitter.com/get_know_use_it (viewed 1 October 2014).
[584] The website was developed by and is administered by the Australian Human Rights Commission. At: http://declaration.humanrights.gov.au (viewed 1 October 2014).
[585] Australian Human Rights Commission, note 6.
[586] Australian Human Rights Commission, The Declaration Dialogue Series: Paper No. 2 – Self-determination – the fundamental right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to shape our own lives (July 2013). At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/2014_AHRC_DD_2_Self-determination.pdf (viewed 1 October 2014).
[587] Australian Human Rights Commission, The Declaration Dialogue Series: Paper No.3 - We have a right to participate in decisions that affect us – effective participation, free, prior and informed consent, and good faith (July 2013). At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/2014_AHRC_DD_3_Consent.pdf (viewed 1 October 2014).
[588] Australian Human Rights Commission, The Declaration Dialogue Series: Discussion Paper 4: Ensuring the ongoing survival of the oldest living culture in the world (July 2013). At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/2014_AHRC_DD_4_Culture.pdf (viewed 1 October 2014).
[589] Australian Human Rights Commission, The Declaration Dialogue Series: Paper No 5 – Equality and Non-Discrimination (July 2013). At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/2014_AHRC_DD_5_Equality.pdf (viewed 1 October 2014).
[590] For the full aims and objectives, see Australian Human Rights Commission, note 6, p 8.
[591] For more, see Australian Human Rights Commission, above.
[592] Additional presenters included Congress Board of Directors T Solonec, V Curnow, G Moore and Dr M McMillan, and K Kiss (Director Strategic Projects, now with PwC Indigenous Consulting). Key presenters from the Commission included M Gooda (Social Justice Commissioner), Dr T Soutphommasane (Race Discrimination Commissioner), R Nissim (Principal Advisor) and J Bedford (Principal Advisor). Congress Co-Chair L Malezer did not officially present, however his contributions at some dialogues were extremely valuable and provided background to discussions and questions. Staff from the Commission and Congress also presented at a number of Dialogues, including M Edwards, M Higgins and T Tipps-Webster.
[593] Australian Human Rights Commission, How does the Commission engage with the business community to improve human rights?, https://www.humanrights.gov.au/business-and-human-rights#s3 (viewed 1 October 2014).
[594] Global Compact Network Australia, UN Global Compact, http://www.unglobalcompact.org.au/about-us/un-global-compact-2/ (viewed 1 October 2014).
[595] Global Compact Network Australia, above.
[596] United Nations Global Compact, Participant search, https://www.unglobalcompact.org/participants/search?commit=t&country%5B%5D=10 (viewed 1 October 2014).
[597] United Nations Global Compact, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: a Business Reference Guide (2013). At http://www.unglobalcompact.org/Issues/human_rights/indigenous_peoples_rights.html (viewed 1 October 2014).
[598] Global Compact Network Australia, Global Compact Network Australia, http://www.unglobalcompact.org.au/about-us/global-compact-network-australia/ (viewed 1 October 2014).
[599] Australian Human Rights Commission, Good practice, good business - Integrating human rights into Australian business practice, Fact Sheet 1 (2009). At www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/corporate_social_responsibility (viewed 1 October 2014).
[600] Global Compact Network Australia, Indigenous Engagement Working Group, http://www.unglobalcompact.org.au/new/leadership-groups/indigenous-engagement-working-group/ (viewed 1 October 2014).
[601] Australian Human Rights Commission, ‘Advancing the national agenda on business and human rights’ (Media Release, 4 August 2014). At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/stories/advancing-national-agenda-business-and-human-rights (viewed 1 October 2014).
[602] Global Compact Network Australia and Australian Human Rights Commission, Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights - Summary and Outcomes Document (2014). At http://www.humanrights.gov.au/education/business-and-human-rights#s3_facilitate (viewed 1 October 2014).
[603] Australian Human Rights Commission, Strategic Plan 2014-2018 (2014). At https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/strategic-plan-2014-2018 (viewed 1 October 2014).
[604] Global Compact Network Australia and Australian Human Rights Commission, note 38.