Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee, 18 September 2017 framework.32 The Commission notes that action on violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women should be developed in close consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and other relevant stakeholders. 36. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women account for 34% of the adult female prison population.33 It is also important to note that 80% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in prison are mothers.34 Recommendation 9: That the Australian Government:  commit to cut the disproportionate rates of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to close the gap by 2040 (with priority strategies for women and children);  prioritise early intervention and prevention initiatives that provide comprehensive support and protection from violence to vulnerable Indigenous populations including women, children and the elderly. Democratic participation (ICCPR articles 1, 2, 25, 26 & 27; LOI 23) (a) 37. Funding to representative bodies The Commission notes that reform of the justice system must be undertaken in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak legal and representative bodies. The Government has provided limited funding support for the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, a national representative voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As noted by the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, ‘explicit defunding since 2014 … runs counter to the Government’s stated commitment to work with [I]ndigenous peoples.’35 Recommendation 10: That the Australian Government provide adequate ongoing funding of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples and to Indigenous legal assistance programs. (b) Constitutional recognition 38. The Commission commends the Government for supporting the ongoing consultation process with Indigenous representatives regarding constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 39. The Commission notes the First Nations National Constitutional Convention to discuss constitutional recognition (Uluru Convention), held on 23–26 May 2017, at which the Uluru Statement of the Heart (Uluru Statement) was adopted. The Uluru Statement calls for the establishment of a First Nations’ Voice enshrined in the Constitution and of a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement making between governments and First Nations that includes truth-telling about Aboriginal and Torres Strait 11