Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – 25 July 2019 Recommendation 5: The Australian Government ensure adequate, secure and long-term funding for independent and systemic representation and advocacy in all matters relevant to the CRPD, including through the National Disability Advocacy Program. Recommendation 6: The Australian Government ensure that the National Disability Agreement and the next National Disability Strategy have adequate resourcing, measurable goals and robust monitoring, reporting, evaluation, governance and accountability requirements, including by implementing the recommendations made by the Productivity Commission and the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales. Recommendation 7: The Australian Government develop and adequately resource action plans for the implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Strategy, the Rural and Remote Strategy and the Culturally and Linguistic Diversity Strategy. Recommendation 8: The Australian Government develop an NDIS Gender Equality Strategy and an NDIS Children and Young People Strategy, each supported by an action plan with concrete goals and timeframes. Recommendation 9: The Australian Government address inequality in access to, and outcomes from, the NDIS, by: a. providing ongoing support for the NDIS Thin Markets Project b. improving the collection and reporting of disaggregated data c. addressing barriers to access, including proving eligibility. Recommendation 10: The Australian Government clarify the role of the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building of the NDIS and the level of funding required to ensure the effectiveness of the program. Recommendation 11: The Australian Government act upon the recommendations of the Productivity Commission to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of the NDIS that actively involves people with disability and their representative organisations. Equality and non-discrimination Recommendation 12: The Australian Government review and amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) to ensure it aligns with the CRPD, particularly the ‘reasonable accommodation’ duty. 39