Responsibility: Australian, state and territory government
Joint Response: Accept in principle
Status: In progress
What has been achieved to date
In Australia, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is incorporated through legislation, policy and programs at federal, state and territory levels. All levels of government play a part in implementing the CRPD.
In accordance with Article 33(1) of the CRPD, the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing act as the ‘Joint Focal Point’ within the Australian Government for matters relating to the implementation of the CRPD.
The Australian Government and state and territory governments are working collaboratively, including by sharing information and developing guidance material, to support the nomination of CRPD focal points in states and territories.
In the Northern Territory, the Office of Disability in the Department of People, Sport and Culture is the designated CRPD focal point for matters relating to implementation of the CRPD. It works closely with all Northern Territory Government agencies to embed the principles of the CRPD through legislation, policy and programs.
Following discussions with key stakeholder agencies, the identified designation of Western Australia’s preferred focal point is being considered by government.
What the Disability Royal Commission said in the final report
The Australian Government and state and territory governments should ensure each jurisdiction has a designated focal point for matters relating to implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
At the Australian Government level, this should be the new Department of Disability Equality and Inclusion, alongside the Attorney-General’s Department.
Each CRPD focal point should include people with disability in leadership positions.
Each jurisdiction should designate focal points by the end of 2024.
Joint Government response July 2024
The Australian Government and state and territory governments support designating a focal point, or focal points, in each government to support work relating to implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
More recommendations
View progress on other recommendations made by the Royal Commission.