44. There is limited cultural diversity in leadership of Australian organisations.100 • • Information about addressing racial discrimination in a coordinated fashion, including the increase in racist incidents during COVID-19 Information about cultural diversity in leadership positions, including Government Right to Social Security 45. The main income support payment for unemployed Australians, ‘JobSeeker Allowance’,101 is inadequate.102 This has been acknowledged by the Government which increased payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.103 These increased payments have subsequently been discontinued.104 The Commission has expressed concerns at punitive welfare programs, notably the ‘ParentsNext’105 ‘pre-employment’ program106 and compulsory income management schemes that disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.107 The Commission also notes the failure of the so-called ‘Robo-debt’ scheme, implemented in 2017, which resulted in thousands of welfare recipients being sent inaccurate debt notices following the introduction of a new digital system. The debt notices caused anguish and stress for many vulnerable and disadvantaged recipients.108 • • Information on JobSeeker and other welfare support programs; and the extent to which they provide an adequate standard of living Information on compulsory income management schemes and effects on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities Right to adequate housing 46. In response to COVID-19, emergency accommodation was provided to more than 40,000 people, a ‘remarkable’ outcome, according to homelessness researchers. However only a third of ‘rough sleepers’ accommodated during this period were subsequently transitioned into longterm housing.109 47. Research indicates that that people’s employment, ability to pay rent, living environment and risk of eviction were negatively affected due to COVID-19.110 Australians known to be at particular risk of homelessness include those who have experienced FDV, young people, children on care and protection orders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people leaving health or social care arrangements, and Australians aged 55 or older. 111 Older women face a higher risk of homelessness, and were the fastest growing cohort of homeless Australians 2011–2016, increasing by 31%, as explored in the Commission’s 2019 background paper on this topic.112 The Committee previously observed a shortage of affordable housing, including rental and social housing, and overcrowded housing for Indigenous peoples in remote areas.113 These problems persist.114 • Information about homelessness and affordable housing Human Rights and the Environment 48. Ongoing changes to Australia’s physical environment and increasing instances of natural disaster are impacting Australians’ rights to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical health and to safe and healthy working conditions. • 9 Information about steps taken to implement the Paris Agreement and integrate a human rights-based approach into disaster recovery policies.