Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION ACT 1986 - SECT 46C

             (1)  The following functions are conferred on the Commission:

                     (a)  to submit a report to the Minister, as soon as practicable after 30 June in each year, regarding the enjoyment and exercise of human rights by Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islanders, and including recommendations as to the action that should be taken to ensure the enjoyment and exercise of human rights by those persons;

                     (b)  to promote discussion and awareness of human rights in relation to Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islanders;

                     (c)  to undertake research and educational programs, and other programs, for the purpose of promoting respect for the human rights of Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islanders and promoting the enjoyment and exercise of human rights by Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islanders;

                     (d)  to examine enactments, and proposed enactments, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they recognise and protect the human rights of Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islanders, and to report to the Minister the results of any such examination.

             (2)  The functions of the Commission under subsection (1) are to be performed by the Commissioner on behalf of the Commission.

             (3)  In the performance of functions under this section, the Commissioner may consult any of the following:

                     (a)  organisations established by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities;

                     (b)  organisations of indigenous peoples in other countries;

                     (c)  international organisations and agencies;

                     (d)  such other organisations, agencies or persons as the Commissioner considers appropriate.

             (4)  In the performance of functions under this section, the Commissioner must, as appropriate, have regard to:

                     (a)  the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and

                     (b)  such other instruments relating to human rights as the Commissioner considers relevant; and

                     (c)  the object of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Act 1991 .