UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY: THIRD COMMITTEE
17 October 2011
Indigenous Issues
Statement by Helen Horsington
First Secretary
Australian Mission to the United Nations
Australia is pleased to provide an update on developments in Indigenous policy in Australia and our enhanced international engagement on Indigenous issues. Improving the promotion and protection of human rights for Indigenous peoples will better ensure the universal enjoyment of all human rights by all.
Mr Chair,
Australia recognises its Indigenous peoples are among the most marginalised and disadvantaged groups in Australia.
The National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, which was offered in 2008, provided the first step towards resetting the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Australia took another important step in moving towards a new future for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians when it announced in 2009 its support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Australia is applying the principles that underpin the Declaration into domestic policy. We welcome the recent support for the Declaration made by the United States and Canada.
Australia’s Indigenous policy approach is founded on the principles of effective engagement of Indigenous Australians as well as ensuring consultation and cooperation. Our “Closing the Gap” strategy is a commitment by all levels of government in Australia to work towards building a better future for Indigenous Australians. It aims to close the gap of Indigenous disadvantage in areas such as health, housing, education and employment. Recently under this strategy over 1100 houses have been built or refurbished; more than 3,500 young Indigenous Australians have received support to complete their final year in secondary school, over 16,000 Indigenous Australians have commenced employment and over 12,000 have commenced vocational training. We are confident future progress will be achieved in closing the gap.
Australia is committed to supporting Indigenous Australians’ participation in decision making matters on issues that affect them, through representatives chosen by them. The recently established National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples provides an independent national vehicle for this engagement. The National Congress held its inaugural forum in June this year. This forum brought together 120 delegates from across Australia to provide direction for the National Congress. We look forward to the work of the National Congress translating into enhanced capacities of Australia’s Indigenous peoples to engage meaningfully in decisions that affect them.
Mr Chair,
The Australian Government has no tolerance for racism and discrimination. Australia’s multicultural composition is at the heart of our national identity and is intrinsic to our history and character. First Australians are the foundation stone for our culturally diverse society. The Australian Government promotes dialogue and mutual understanding based on respect for human rights for all people, without distinction as to race, colour, religion, or national or ethnic origin.
Our new multicultural policy, The People of Australia, embraces four key principles including celebrating and valuing diversity, maintaining social cohesion, communicating the benefits of Australia’s diversity and responding to intolerance and discrimination. The policy contains initiatives such as the National Anti-Racism Partnership and Strategy and the establishment of the Australian Multicultural Council. These initiatives complement the Diversity and Social Cohesion Program, which provides grants to community programs addressing cultural, racial and religious intolerance.
Mr Chair,
Australia has made it a priority to advocate Indigenous issues around the world, and to step up our engagement in this regard.
During the 65th session of the General Assembly, Australia was pleased to actively support Bolivia’s initiative to convene a World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. We celebrate this initiative and look forward to participating actively in the conference and any preparatory processes.
Australia is also pleased to inform the Committee that the distinguished Australian Aboriginal human rights scholar, Professor Megan Davis, began her three year term as a member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in January. Professor Davis is a leading scholar on Indigenous legal rights and international law and has been active in the United Nations as an advocate for Indigenous rights, particularly in relation to Indigenous women. The Australian Government was pleased to support her candidacy and is encouraged by her strong contribution to the work of the Permanent Forum to date.
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, has spoken of the need for more Indigenous Australians to speak of their Australian experience to the world abroad. This year we welcomed the first-ever appointment of an Indigenous Australian to the position of Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations. His name is Benson Saulo. Mr Saulo participated in this year’s High-Level Meeting on Youth and has already delivered a statement on youth to the Third Committee of the General Assembly. We are pleased to support his efforts to raise the profile of youth issues, including issues affecting Indigenous youth, at the United Nations. Australia also looks forward to soon appointing its first-ever Indigenous Australian as an Ambassador.
Australia was also pleased to announce recently that it will contribute $100,000 to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations. This will assist the participation of Indigenous representatives in international meetings. We are also pleased to be contributing to the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s fund to support effective Indigenous participation in the negotiations on a new international instrument on the protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions. Indigenous knowledge can create economic opportunities. We are committed to helping Indigenous communities make the most of their intellectual property.
Mr Chair,
Australia looks forward to continuing our constructive engagement with Indigenous Australians and the international community on Indigenous issues.