Australia is a stable, democratic and culturally diverse nation with a highly skilled workforce and one of the strongest performing economies in the world.
Mister President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates and civil society representatives, I am honoured to appear before you today to present Australia's response to the 332 recommendations we received from 120 member and observer states at our fourth cycle Universal Periodic Review appearance on 26 January 2026.
Australia is a steadfast supporter of the multilateral human rights system, which plays a crucial role in supporting the realisation of human rights at the domestic and international level. The UPR is a key part of that system. It is a critical and universal tool for all States to strengthen human rights. Australia intends to make good use of this valuable tool. Our UPR is an opportunity to reflect on our achievements and our challenges, to evaluate our existing practice, and to assess where further work is needed to improve the human rights of all Australians.
We recognise that there is always room for improvement, and we are committed to pursuing this, including in relation to the seven core human rights treaties to which we are a party.
I would like to thank all 120 delegations that engaged in our review for their thoughtfulness. Many delegations acknowledged Australia's commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights and recognised specific human rights achievements since the third UPR in 2021. These on-going efforts included:
combatting violence against women and children
gender equality in the workplace
online safety
the establishment of an Anti-Slavery Commissioner
supports for persons with disabilities.
Australia welcomes the 332 recommendations that we received from delegations. We welcome these considered recommendations and appreciate that many were informed by the reporting and advocacy efforts of the Australian Human Rights Commission, and civil society.
We are strong supporters of independent human rights voices and are grateful for the focus they have brought to our fourth UPR. We have engaged with the Australian Human Rights Commission throughout this process and supported and listened to civil society. The Australian Government's support for civil society engagement included a grant to assist the production of an independent joint NGO UPR report. We also participated in NGO UPR panel events to discuss and promote our UPR and in 2025, the Australian Government undertook public consultation on our UPR National Report.
I will now address Australia's approach to considering the 332 UPR recommendations.
Australia has a federal constitutional system of government. Under this system, Australia's 6 states and 2 territories have significant human rights responsibilities, including in areas such as the criminal justice system and the provision of health and education services.
Accordingly, in developing Australia's position on the 332 recommendations received at our dialogue in January, the Australian Government consulted with all state and territory governments and all relevant Australian Government agencies, including the Australian Human Rights Commission.
In keeping with our commitment to public consultation, we held a roundtable with civil society stakeholders and the Australian Human Rights Commission in April this year to work with civil society to identify the priority recommendations from our fourth UPR. These priority recommendations were then provided to our federal and state and territory stakeholders for consideration.
Australia's response to the recommendations is contained in our Addendum to the Report of the Working Group. The Addendum is structured according to key themes of the Working Group Report, outlines Australia's position on each recommendation and includes information on our commitment to each of these human rights themes.
Australia recognises some recommendations are broad in nature. Certain recommendations also reflect assumptions that do not accurately represent Australia's legislation, policy or practice. Consistent with Australia's longstanding commitment to human rights and the United Nations, Australia has responded to these recommendations in good faith.
Of the 332 recommendations Australia has 'accepted' 128 recommendations and 'noted' the remaining 204 recommendations.
Australia will continue to uphold human rights, including freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of assembly and expression, the rights of First Nations people, the rights of women, LGBTQIA+ persons, children, older persons and people with disability.
Australia's modern multicultural diversity is fundamental to the character of our nation, and all Australians have an equal right to participate in the social, political and economic life of our country. The Australian Government is taking a multi-faceted approach to combating racism, with action underway across Government, including ambitious legislation to combat antisemitism, hate and extremism.
Australia will continue to work closely with LGBTQIA+ Australians and advocates to develop policy that meets the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community to deliver equality across Australian society. This includes supporting human rights protections, combatting hatred and prejudice, and ensuring that people can access services with dignity and respect, and free from discrimination.
The Australian Government remains committed to improving youth justice and advancing health and education outcomes, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
I will turn now to the five voluntary commitments Australia made at its dialogue in January. These commitments relate to disability discrimination, housing, domestic and sexual violence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people and dementia.
I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on these commitments.
Firstly, Australia committed to review the Disability Discrimination Act, in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. The Disability Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person in many areas of public life. The Australian Government received over 1,100 submissions when it conducted accessible public consultation on ways to improve the Disability Discrimination Act. This feedback is being carefully analysed to inform reform options.
Second, Australia committed to increasing the delivery of appropriate, affordable housing that is aligned with the priorities and need of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This included building strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing organisations, including in the community-controlled sector. Over $600 million has been announced in dedicated funding for First Nations housing. This investment is about more than just building homes – it is about building capacity, respecting self-determination, and working in partnership with First Nations communities.
Third, we committed to delivering Our Ways - Strong Ways - Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence. The plan was launched in February with funding of $218 million to support initial actions. Developed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and state and territory governments it is Australia's first standalone plan that strives for a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children can live free from violence.
Fourth, we committed to legislating the National Commission and National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People. In March, legislation passed the Australian Parliament to establish an independent and empowered National Commissioner and to establish the National Commission as a statutory agency, with the functions and powers to advance the rights, interests, development, safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. To support this, the Australian Government is investing $42.8 million over five years from 2025-26, and $9.3 million per year ongoing for the National Commissioner.
Finally, we committed to investment in dementia risk reduction and brain health. In May 2026, Australia announced an additional $22.9 million for research grants into dementia, which is the leading cause of death in Australia, and other projects to achieve life improving treatments for people as they age. This funding will enable Australia's best and brightest researchers in this field to make a real difference for people living with or at risk of dementia.
In conclusion Mister President, I would like to reiterate our appreciation to delegations for their constructive engagement and for their recommendations. Australia will continue to use the UPR process to drive change and improve human rights. We are committed to implementing accepted recommendations.
I welcome in advance the contributions to today's adoption by Member States, the Australian Human Rights Commission and civil society organisations.
Concluding remarks
Thank you Mr President.
I would like to thank Member States who have made statements. I would also like to thank the Australian Human Rights Commission and members of civil society for their participation. Your feedback will continue to inform implementation and consideration of recommendations.
I would like to reiterate that Australia is committed to implementing accepted recommendations and voluntary commitments and to the continued consideration of other recommendations. We understand that the UPR does not finish today. Our ongoing work will be supported by Australia's Standing National Human Rights Mechanism. The mechanism was established as a voluntary commitment to our second UPR to strengthen Australia's reporting and engagement with the UN on human rights. It includes:
An Australian Government inter-departmental committee that provides a coordinated, consistent and efficient approach to UN human rights reporting.
An Intergovernmental Working Group consisting of representatives from the Departments of the Premier or Department of the Chief Minister in every state and territory.
A mechanism for consultation with the Australian Human rights Commission and civil society.
Publicly available information on Australia's human rights reporting processes.
In conclusion, I wish to thank Australia's UPR Troika of Benin, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Viet Nam as well as the UPR Secretariat for their invaluable support and assistance.
