Source: Office of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties

JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE on TREATIES
Treaty Tabled 4 June 2008

MEDIA ALERT
Issued: 19 June 2008
Chair: Mr Kelvin Thomson MP
Deputy Chair: Sen Hon Sandy Macdonald

Treaties Committee supports UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Federal Parliament’s Treaties Committee has recommended that Australia ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

'The Committee has taken the slightly unusual step of tabling its recommendation prior to the final report on this inquiry to allow ratification of this Convention to proceed as quickly as possible' Committee Chairman Kelvin Thomson said.

'The Attorney General and the Human Rights Commissioner represented to the Committee the advantages that early ratification of this treaty will provide for Australia. Through timely ratification, Australia will have the opportunity to participate in selection of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Comprised of individuals with recognised competence and experience, this Committee will monitor and promote implementation of the Convention.'

'As an active party in Convention negotiations, the Committee considered it was important that Australia continue to take a leading role in promoting the rights of people with disabilities. One way to do this is to ensure we can participate in the nomination process for the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities' Mr Thomson said.

The Convention will promote, protect and ensure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people with disabilities. Parties to the Convention will be obliged to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability and to enhance the inclusion and participation of people with a disability in society.

The Convention reflects and affirms the protections already existing under Australia’s domestic laws and has received widespread support.

Report 92 and background information on the Convention is available on the Committee’s website:
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct.htm or by contacting the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 4002.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Media contact: Kelvin Thomson MP (Mr Anthony Cianflone) (03) 9350 5777
Senator the Hon Sandy Macdonald (Ms Rachel Sherman) (02) 6766 6998
Background: Committee Secretary (02) 6277 4642

JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE on TREATIES
Treaty Tabled 4 June 2008
Telephone: 02 6277 4002 PARLIAMENT HOUSE
Facsimile: 02 6277 2219 CANBERRA ACT 2600
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct