Australian Human Rights Commission Information for LOI – Australia, 29 August 2016 32. Issue for consideration in the LOI: Information on the future funding of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples as the national representative voice for Indigenous peoples. 33. The ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ILO Convention 169) is based on respect for the cultures and ways of life of Indigenous and Tribal peoples and aims at overcoming discriminatory practices and enabling participation in decision-making that affects their lives.15 34. The Australian Government noted the UPR recommendations to ratify ILO Convention 169 but indicated it will not consider ratification at this time. 35. Issue for consideration in the LOI: • 6.2 Information on when consideration will be given to the ratification of ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. Close the gap Concluding Observation para 18; ICESCR: Articles 2, 6 & 7 36. The Commission welcomes the commitment of Australian governments to targets to close the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians across a range of key health and wellbeing indicators. The Commission notes that since 2011, there have been improvements in infant mortality, maternal health, life expectancy rates and pre-school attendance. Other areas, such as employment and school attendance, have not seen the same level of improvement.16 37. The Implementation Plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023, 17 is a major commitment by the government. Future Budgets must adequately resource its application and operation to ensure that rights are progressively realised. As such, the government should: • Ensure the oversight committee is resourced to monitor results of the Implementation Plan activities in order to continuously improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of the health services and accountable to both COAG and the National Health Leadership Forum. • Fund the process required to develop the core services model and the associated workforce, infrastructure, information management and funding strategies based on the core services model. • Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health funding is maintained at least at current levels until the core services, workforce and funding work is finalised, with provision of a more considered view of funding requirements and issues. • Identify areas with both high levels of preventable illnesses and deaths and inadequate services, and develop a capacity building plan for Aboriginal Community Controlled Services (ACCHS) in those areas. 18 7