Australian Human Rights Commission
Australia and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination (ICERD), Shadow report to the CERD Committee – 8 July 2010
provide for presumptions in favour of native title claimants, including a presumption
of continuity in the acknowledgement and observance of traditional law and custom
and of the relevant society. 160
Recommendation 24: The Commission recommends that the Australian and
Northern Territory governments commit to supporting homelands through:
•
reviewing, developing and implementing homeland policies with the active
participation of representative leaders from homeland communities
•
providing funding and support for homeland communities in all states and
territories through the COAG National Indigenous Reform Agreement and
associated National Partnership Agreements. 161
Recommendation 25: The Commission recommends that the Commonwealth,
through the Councils of Australian Governments, engage with State and Territory
governments to develop a consistent approach with joint funding mechanisms in the
provision of financial redress for the Stolen Generations.
Recommendation 26: The Commission recommends that Stolen Wages
compensation schemes be established in other states and territories as appropriate.
Recommendation 27: That the Australian Government consider the following in the
development of a national multicultural policy:
•
that is should be based on extensive community consultation
•
that it should be properly linked with the Australian Human Rights
Framework, the Human Rights Action Plan and the Social Inclusion Agenda
•
that it adopts a broad definition of the ‘multicultural community’ in Australia
that genuinely considers: newly arrived migrants, international students,
temporary and seasonal migrant workers, people from refugee backgrounds
and established ethnic communities
•
that it addresses the issue of religious diversity and freedom of religion and
belief
•
that systems of auditing, benchmarking, compliance and evaluation are
created.
Recommendation 28: That the Australian Government develop a coordinated,
national approach to anti-racism that is linked to the national multicultural policy
framework. This recommendation is in accordance with the Durban Declaration and
Program of Action, which calls on states to develop comprehensive national action
plans to eradicate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
Recommendation 29: That the Australian Government revisit the recommendations
made in the Commissions Report of National Inquiry into Racist Violence in
Australia in 1991.
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