On 3 December 2008, following a consultation process, the National Interest Analysis on the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was tabled in Parliament. The National Interest Analysis supports and recommends that Australia accede to the Optional Protocol. The Centre previously made submissions to the National Interest Analysis supporting Australia’s accession to the Optional Protocol.
The question of Australia’s accession to the Optional Protocol was the referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties in December 2008.
In January 2009 the Centre made a Submission to the Committee [Word] [PDF], unreservedly supporting Australia’s ratification of the Optional Protocol as it would:
- complement and strengthen existing domestic mechanisms designed to promote disability rights;
- foster and promote analysis and change;
- strengthen Australia’s role within the international community;
- bolster Australia’s commitment to constructive engagement with the United Nations human rights system; and
- enhance public awareness and understanding of the rights of people living with disabilities.
Further, the Optional Protocol does not require any domestic legislative or policy to changes in order to be implemented and is very unlikely to subject the Australian Government to a flood of complaints and investigations.
