Source: Offices of the Attorney-General, The Hon Robert McClelland MP, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, the Hon Bill Shorten MP

Joint Media Release

The Hon Robert McClelland MP
Attorney-General

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services
Bill Shorten MP

DISABILITIES CONVENTION OPTIONAL PROTOCOL
20 September 2009

Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, Bill Shorten, today welcomed the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Protocol provides a mechanism for Australians to make complaints to the United Nations Disabilities Committee in the event that all domestic remedies have been exhausted.

"The entry into force of the Optional Protocol is an important milestone for people with a disability in Australia and further demonstrates the Government's leadership at an international level," Mr McClelland said.

The Rudd Government ratified the Convention in July 2008, making it one of the first Western countries to do so. Australia joins more than 60 nations that are now parties to the Convention and over 40 nations that have acceded to or ratified the Optional Protocol.

The Attorney-General has also declared the Convention under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 to enable the Australian Human Rights Commission to conciliate complaints based on breaches of the Convention.

Mr Shorten said the declaration gives the Commission power to consider disability rights under the Convention and enables it to report to Government on how the Convention is being implemented.

"Accession to the Protocol demonstrates Australia’s commitment to recognising both the rights and capacity of people with disabilities. Despite progress in recent years, the rights of people with disabilities to full and equal participation in the community are not always respected. This change will make it easier for people with disabilities to get fair treatment," Mr Shorten said.

These steps are a further demonstration of the Rudd Government's commitment to enhancing human rights for all Australians.

Media Contact: Adam Siddique (McClelland) 0407 473 630
Ben Ruse (Shorten) 0407 030 808