Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 8 May 2017 That all Australian governments ensure consistency of their policies and laws with the protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status in the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth). Intersex That the recommendations of the 2013 Senate Community Affairs Committee inquiry into the involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people be implemented. Gender identity That the Australian Government, through the COAG process, encourage state and territory governments to remove the surgery and marital status requirements in births, deaths and marriages registration legislation. • Older persons Elder abuse That the Australian Government develop a national strategy on tackling elder abuse. Employment That the Australian Government formally respond to the Willing to Work Inquiry recommendations concerning older Australians, including by developing national strategies to address age discrimination and stereotyping that impacts on employment status. • Rights of the child That the Australian Government strengthen early intervention programs that support vulnerable families and improve data collection relating to child protection and out-of-home care. • Refugees and Asylum Seekers Mandatory immigration detention, including of children That the Australian Government end the use of mandatory and prolonged detention of asylum seekers, especially children, and ensure that any detention is time limited, strictly necessary (such as for the purpose of public health and security checks) and subject to individualised decision making and judicial oversight. Asylum seekers living in the community That the Australian Government develop timelines for the processing of asylum claims and provide increased funding and targeted support to asylum seekers living in the Australian community. 18