Since the National Plan’s conception, many implementation plans have passed and some key actions remain unimplemented, such as the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence. It is unclear whether the Plan will be adequately funded for effective implementation, and there are no independent mechanisms to monitor the plan’s implementation and measure its effectiveness in terms of statistical benchmarks, systems of measurement, timelines, financial obligations or baseline to reference success. The government must commit to continuing the implementation of an independent monitoring and evaluation mechanism and to resourcing of civil society to participate in this process. In addition, the National Plan insufficiently addresses the need for adequate crisis and support services, shelters and/or refuges, or legal services for women and to provide them with opportunities for empowerment and advance their human rights. Further, there is a need for the National Plan, or any new specific Plan, to properly address violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. Proposed Recommendations for Concluding Observations: THAT Australia adequately fund the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, including women-specific services, and establish an independent mechanism to evaluate the implementation of the National Plan. THAT Australia implement processes for meaningful participation and collaboration with civil society in the development, implementation and monitoring of implementation plans. Domestic Violence Leave There has been increasing recognition of and focus on the interaction between and impact of family violence in the workplace and on the employment of people experiencing family violence in Australia. There is strong support for examining regulatory and legislative mechanisms for the inclusion of access to domestic/family leave. In particular, there is broad support for the inclusion of family and domestic violence leave under the National Employment Standards in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and in Modern Awards. Proposed Recommendations for Concluding Observations: THAT Australia provide workplace support to employees experiencing family and domestic violence including: a minimum legislative standard of 10 days paid domestic violence leave inclusion of a minimum of 10 days paid domestic violence leave in Modern Awards; and Government funding and support for relevant workplace training.
Since the National Plan’s conception, many implementation plans have passed and some key actions remain unimplemented, such as the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence. It is unclear whether the Plan will be adequately funded for effective implementation, and there are no independent mechanisms to monitor the plan’s implementation and measure its effectiveness in terms of statistical benchmarks, systems of measurement, timelines, financial obligations or baseline to reference success. The government must commit to continuing the implementation of an independent monitoring and evaluation mechanism and to resourcing of civil society to participate in this process. In addition, the National Plan insufficiently addresses the need for adequate crisis and support services, shelters and/or refuges, or legal services for women and to provide them with opportunities for empowerment and advance their human rights. Further, there is a need for the National Plan, or any new specific Plan, to properly address violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. Proposed Recommendations for Concluding Observations: THAT Australia adequately fund the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, including women-specific services, and establish an independent mechanism to evaluate the implementation of the National Plan. THAT Australia implement processes for meaningful participation and collaboration with civil society in the development, implementation and monitoring of implementation plans. Domestic Violence Leave There has been increasing recognition of and focus on the interaction between and impact of family violence in the workplace and on the employment of people experiencing family violence in Australia. There is strong support for examining regulatory and legislative mechanisms for the inclusion of access to domestic/family leave. In particular, there is broad support for the inclusion of family and domestic violence leave under the National Employment Standards in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and in Modern Awards. Proposed Recommendations for Concluding Observations: THAT Australia provide workplace support to employees experiencing family and domestic violence including: a minimum legislative standard of 10 days paid domestic violence leave inclusion of a minimum of 10 days paid domestic violence leave in Modern Awards; and Government funding and support for relevant workplace training.
ICESCR-Final-Submission-May17-1.docx