A/HRC/36/46/Add.2
(e)
Create a parliamentary joint committee on indigenous affairs to advance
indigenous rights in a bi-partisan manner;
(f)
Elaborate a comprehensive bill of human rights within the federal
Constitution and a human rights act that include due recognition of the provisions in
the Declaration.
108. Regarding self-determination and participation, the Special Rapporteur
recommends that the Government:
(a)
Revise the “Indigenous Advancement Strategy” and the “Closing the
Gap” strategy targets in consultation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Social Justice Commissioner, the National Congress, the Indigenous Advisory Council
and relevant peak indigenous organizations;
(b)
Amend the “Closing the Gap” strategy to include specific targets to
reduce of detention rates, child removal incidence and violence against women;
(c)
Renew national partnership arrangements between the Commonwealth
and state jurisdictions, enhance coordination between federal- and state-level
implementation and improve data collection for more effective annual monitoring of
progress;
(d)
Transfer responsibility for local programme implementation to
indigenous-led organizations to build capacity and their ability to exercise selfdetermination;
(e)
Reinstate funding for the National Congress and ensure that the
Government holds regular meetings to consult with the National Congress;
(f)
Develop, in partnership with indigenous peoples, a national strategy to
give effect to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and
the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples Outcome Document;
(g)
Establish mandatory training for civil servants on the provisions in the
Declaration, notably the rights to self-determination, participation and free, prior and
informed consent.
109. Concerning health services, the Special Rapporteur recommends that the
Government:
(a)
Invest in partnerships that recognize the leadership of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islanders in implementing the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Health Plan;
(b)
Increase support for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
and training of indigenous health professionals;
(c)
Provide mandatory training on cultural awareness for non-indigenous
medical professionals;
(d)
Finalize and resource the National Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Mental Health and Social and Emotional Well-being and address
intergenerational trauma more in more culturally appropriate and effective ways;
(e)
Provide sustained long-term support for indigenous-led health research.
110. On the subject of education, the Special Rapporteur recommends that the
Government:
(a)
Consult with indigenous communities in the development of education
policies, implement school curricula that are culturally sensitive and increase the
provision of bilingual education;
(b)
Apply a trauma-informed approach to education that identifies the
barriers to attendance and assists parents and families to improve student attendance,
rather than the application of financial penalties that further disadvantages children
who already live in poverty;
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