"Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in Australia: Joint Civil Society Statement," Aug 2016

On 25 May 2016, the Australian Human Rights Commission…hosted a roundtable meeting for civil society representatives…(the CSO Roundtable). This Joint Civil Society Statement…reflects the key outcomes of the CSO Roundtable.

The key question underpinning this Statement is: how are the UNGPs to be operationalised in Australia? This Statement sets out civil society’s initial recommendations to the Australian Government on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in Australia…

Civil society’s key recommendations for the Australian Government are:

• …multi-stakeholder advisory group…
• conduct a thorough, consultative and efficient national baseline assessment;
• develop a national action plan on business and human rights (NAP)…
• meet criteria for the NAP development process…
• meet criteria for NAP content…
• lead by example, particularly in public procurement…
• develop clear guidance for business on how to respect human rights in accordance with the UNGPs…
• develop…mechanisms that provide access to remedy…
• strengthen the Australian OECD National Contact Point…
• commit adequate resources to implementing the UNGPs…