Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 8 May 2017 42. The Commission acknowledges the $5.1 million dedicated to the implementation of the Third Action Plan of the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020, which will help support early intervention and child safe approaches.21 In August 2016, the Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs re-affirmed the Commonwealth Government’s strong support for the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020, especially the Third Action Plan with its emphasis on the First Thousand Days for a Child.22 Despite this re-affirmation, the Commission remains concerned that the $5.1 million funding is inadequate to achieve the objectives of the Plan. 43. Recommendation: That Australian governments redouble efforts to reduce violence against women, including by ensuring adequate accommodation and support services to reduce the risk of homelessness for women and their children. 7 Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Issues (SOGII) 7.1 Non-discrimination (ICESCR Articles 2(2)) 44. The Commission commends the Government for passing amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) in 2013 to include protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.23 45. The Commission is concerned that some state and territory laws remain inconsistent with the protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status in the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth). Exemptions for state and territory laws from the operation of these discrimination provisions remain in place, although are time limited. 46. The Commission is also concerned that, despite the legislative changes referred to above, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people experience discrimination at work on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.24 47. Recommendation: 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). 7.2 48. Intersex (ICESCR Article 12(1)) The Commission remains concerned that children born with intersex variations are still subject to medically unnecessary normalising medical interventions before they are able to provide full and informed consent.25 Such interventions can have significant and ongoing physical and psychological consequences.26 The Commission remains concerned that many of the recommendations contained in the report of the 2013 Senate Community Affairs Committee 9