wr2014_web_0

WORLD REPORT 2014Australia awaiting assessment of their refugee claims, though in December thiswas blocked in the Senate.Indigenous RightsWhile some health and socioeconomic indicators are improving for indigenousAustralians, they still on average live 10-12 years less than non-indigenousAustralians, have an infant mortality rate almost two times higher, and continueto die at alarmingly high rates from treatable and preventable conditions suchas diabetes and respiratory illness. Although they live in one of the world’swealthiest countries, many indigenous Australians do not have access to adequatehealth care, housing, food, or water.In March 2013, Parliament passed legislation recognizing indigenousAustralians as the first inhabitants of Australia, an important step toward constitutionalrecognition and toward addressing Australia’s history of exclusion.As part of his election campaign, Prime Minister Abbott promised to propose areferendum on recognition within 12 months of taking office and to establish anindigenous advisory council. In September, he established the council to focuson “practical changes to improve the lives of Aboriginal people.” It is not clearwhat role this council will play relative to the national representative indigenousbody, the Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.Disability RightsIn July 2013, the government introduced the National Disability InsuranceScheme, allowing people with disabilities to receive support based on theirneeds and be actively involved in choosing the types of support they need.Disability rights have also been a focal point in Australia’s international aidprograms.In 2013, the Australian Law Commission launched an inquiry into barriers toequal recognition before the law and legal capacity for individuals with disabilities.Current laws promote guardianship, which strips people with disabilitiesof their ability to make decisions about their lives instead of recognizing theirlegal capacity on an equal basis as others, as required by the Convention onthe Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).294