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 6.7 Indigenous languages (ICERD Article 5 and Declaration Articles 13,14) 43. The Commission has welcomed the Government adoption of a national policy for the preservation of Indigenous languages (Indigenous Languages A National Approach 2009). However, the Commission notes three major challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the successful implementation of this policy: • different levels of governments in Australia need to be held to a consistent position on Indigenous language policy and action. • coordinating intra-government activity and ensuring quality control because language preservation requires interaction between multiple portfolio areas, including early childhood development services, employment, school education, higher education and research services. • stretching the limited resources ($9.3 million for the financial year 200809) to address a critical and complex language situation across the nation. Recommendation 17: That the Australian Government: • Honour the commitment of Indigenous Languages - A National Approach to establish a national Indigenous languages body with functions and responsibilities similar to those of the Māori Language Commission. • agree to resource an ongoing plan of action for the preservation and promotion of Indigenous languages as recommended by the national Indigenous languages body. • Become a signatory to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003). • through COAG, develop agreements to ensure consistency and compliance with Australia’s Indigenous Languages - A National Approach. 33 6.8 Indigenous housing and homelessness (ICERD Article 5 and Declaration Articles 21,23) 44. According to the 2006 Census, 4116 Indigenous people were homeless on Census night. 34 In 2006, the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing identified that there was an Indigenous housing crisis in Australia, which is likely to worsen in coming years as a result of the rapid rate of population growth in Indigenous communities. 35 45. The Commission has welcomed the Australian Government’s response to make the reduction of homelessness a national priority 36 and the recommendation of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on 14