Consultation on the Optional Protocol to the UN Disabilities Convention
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol were adopted at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 13 December 2006, and entered into force internationally on 3 May 2008.
The Australian Government has now commenced the process that will enable it to make an informed decision on whether or not to become party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention.
A large part of considering whether to become party to the Optional Protocol involves undertaking a National Interest Analysis (NIA). The NIA is a document that will assess whether becoming party to the Optional Protocol is in the national interest by analysing the impact it is likely to have on Australia and Australians living with a disability. The NIA will be prepared by the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
The purpose of this consultation is to obtain your views on how becoming party to the Optional Protocol is likely to impact Australia. Information on the Articles of the Optional Protocol is provided at below link for your assistance:
In particular, we would welcome your views on the following issues, which the NIA will examine:
- the obligations imposed by the Optional Protocol
- what, if anything, will need to be done to implement the Optional Protocol
- the likely financial cost, if any, of implementing the Optional Protocol, and
- foreseeable economic, environmental, social and cultural effects of implementing the Optional Protocol.
When considering these issues, it may be helpful to bear in mind the obligations in the Convention and the National Interest Analysis conducted on the Convention.
If you wish to comment on the proposal whether or not to accede to the Optional Protocol, please provide your comments by 24 October 2008 to DisabilityConvention@ag.gov.au or:
Disability Discrimination Section
Human Rights Branch
Attorney-General’s Department
Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit
Barton ACT 2600
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to email your query to DisabilityConvention@ag.gov.au or contact 02 6250 6594
