Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee, 18 September 2017 Islander peoples’ history. The Commission welcomes the Uluru Statement and supports the calls for a First Nations’ voice to Parliament.36 40. The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples has encouraged the Australian Government to explore the possibility of a national treaty with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.37 Recommendation 11: That the Australian Government develop with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples a model for constitutional recognition and for a First Nations’ voice to Parliament. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability (ICCPR articles 2, 7 & 9) 41. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disabilities face institutional and endemic discrimination because of their disability and Indigenous status.38 42. The Commission notes the Government’s commitment in the National Disability Strategy Second Implementation Plan: Driving Action 2015–18 to develop an Australian Government Plan to Improve Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Disability.39 Recommendation 12: That the Australian Government develop the Plan to Improve Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Disability. 6 Older persons Elder abuse (ICCPR articles 2, 7 & 9) 43. Elder abuse is a fundamental human rights issue faced by many older people. Commonly recognised forms of elder abuse include psychological/emotional abuse; physical abuse; sexual abuse; financial abuse; and neglect.40 Some Australians have heightened vulnerability to elder abuse, such as older people in culturally and linguistically diverse communities, older people in rural and remote areas, older people with cognitive impairments and/or other disabilities, older Indigenous people, and older women.41 44. The Commission welcomes the ALRC’s report Elder Abuse—A National Legal Response42 and other relevant independent and government-funded studies.43 45. The Commission welcomes the Government’s commitment to developing a national plan to better protect the rights of older Australians, including a prevalence study into elder abuse, pilot training programmes for frontline staff and an awareness and education campaign.44 46. The Commission also welcomes the Government’s commitment of $50 million to improve seniors’ digital literacy, which will include the development of an online safety strategy for senior Australians.45 12