November 2016

This report contributes to ongoing debates about how Australia can best fulfill its obligations to enable people affected by human rights failures of Australian companies abroad to access remedy, with a particular focus on the distinctive role of non-judicial redress systems…The report finds that Australia has not yet comprehensively addressed the human rights impacts of Australian companies and investors in either policy of legal terms. Women and men whose human rights are impacted within Australian company value (supply) chains or investment portfolios still have very few avenues to seek remedy…Australia’s recent commitment to develop a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights provides an opportunity to engage diverse stakeholders in considering the role of all parts of government, and developing comprehensive policy and legal frameworks to fulfill obligations under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The third pillar of access to remedy requires significant attention…