On the 2 August 2022, the Senate referred an inquiry into the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in Australia, to the newly established Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (JSCATSIA).
The JSCATSIA committee will inquire into international experiences of the implementation of UNDRIP, consider options for improving adherence to UNDRIP principles in Australia, and will assess how the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart can support the application of UNDRIP.
Committee Chair Senator Patrick Dodson said, "The committee looks forward to receiving evidence from individuals, organisations, land councils, academics, and think tanks across Australia and internationally."
"I encourage everyone to have their say on how the application of UNDRIP can be successfully implemented in Australia."
The committee welcomes submissions from interested individuals and organisations by Wednesday 19 October 2022.
For more information about this committee and its inquiry, including the terms of reference and instructions on making a submission, please visit the inquiry webpage. You may also track the committee's progress by clicking the blue 'Track Committee' button on the committee's website.
The Terms of Reference of the inquiry are as follows:
The application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in Australia, with particular reference to:
- the international experience of implementing the UNDRIP,
- options to improve adherence to the principles of UNDRIP in Australia,
- how implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart can support the application of the UNDRIP, and
- any other related matters.
An inquiry into the application of UNDRIP in Australia was previously referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on 29 March 2022.This inquiry lapsed with the dissolution of the 46th Parliament. All submissions received during that inquiry have been accepted by the committee and will be considered as part of this new inquiry, however, stakeholders are encouraged to submit updates responding to the new terms of reference.
