"Policy Paper on an Australian National Action Plan (NAP) to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs)," 16 Feb 2016

ALHR calls on the Australian Government to make a formal commitment to develop a NAP to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in Australia.

The development of a NAP is essential for improving the legal, regulatory and policy framework in Australia required to successfully implement the UNGPs. This will assist in protecting and promoting internationally-recognised human rights standards in Australia. In developing a NAP for Australia, an effective process is key to ensuring a successful outcome.

ALHR’s expectations for the NAP process include:

• a consultative, multi-stakeholder process that includes civil society;
• transparency;
• an evidence-based process: NAP development to include a national baseline assessment of existing legislative gaps in UNGP implementation in Australia; and
• provision for ongoing monitoring and review of the NAP

ALHR’s expectations for the content of a NAP include:

• comprehensive nature: NAP must cover all the UNGPs;
• extends beyond a statement of current policy or commitments and contains forward-looking action points; and
• a human-rights based focus…