Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the UN Committee On The Elimination Of Racial Discrimination, 30 October 2017 humane treatment of people held in immigration detention, could provide the basis for these minimum standards.236 193. 12 Ratification of OPCAT will likely result in more systematic consideration of the adequacy and appropriateness of conditions of detention in the coming years. Business and human rights (CO 13) 194. The Commission notes that, in paragraph 13 of its concluding observations, the Committee indicated its interest in legislative or administrative measures to prevent acts by Australian corporations infringing the rights of Indigenous peoples domestically and overseas and to regulate the extraterritorial activities of Australian corporations abroad. The Committee also encouraged Australia to fulfil its commitments under the international initiatives it supports to advance responsible corporate citizenship. 195. The Commission provides up-to-date information in this regard below. National Action Plan 196. The Commission commends the Australian business community’s support for the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) through the Global Compact Network Australia.237 197. The Commission notes that the Australian Government is undertaking a national consultation on the implementation of the UNGP,238 and established a Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group on the Implementation of the UNGP.239 Members of the Advisory Group represent a broad range of perspectives and have been drawn from across business sectors and civil society. 240 198. The Commission notes the advice of the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group that the Australian Government deliver a coordinated policy statement in the form of a National Action Plan, which sets out the concrete steps that it will take to implement the UNGPs.241 199. The Commission is very concerned that Australia’s Foreign Minister has advised the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group that the Australian Government is not proceeding with a National Action Plan at this time.242 Recommendation 42: That the Australian Government, in consultation with the business sector, take measures to implement Australia’s international law obligations in the area of business and human rights and to enhance protections for those harmed by Australian business activities. Modern slavery 200. The Commission welcomes the Australian Government's proposal for large corporations and other entities operating in Australia to publish annual statements outlining their actions to address modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.243 At this stage, it is not proposed that these 37

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