Australia opposes the death penalty in all circumstances for all people. Australia's Strategy for Global Abolition of the Death Penalty outlines Australia’s position on the death penalty and guides our advocacy and action on advancing the goal of global abolition.
In November 2025, the Government appointed the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP as Australia’s Special Envoy for International Human Rights. As Special Envoy, Mr Dreyfus will undertake an enhanced advocacy role for the abolition for the death penalty, including implementation of the Strategy.
The Australian Government has responded to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Human Rights Subcommittee Inquiry into Australia’s efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.
The new Australian Government Strategy for Global Abolition of the Death Penalty, released on 29 October 2026, takes into account the recommendations of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Human Rights Subcommittee Inquiry into Australia’s efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.
Download
Strategy
- Australia's Strategy for Global Abolition of the Death Penalty [PDF 328 KB]
- Australia's Strategy for Global Abolition of the Death Penalty [DOCX 391 KB]
Government response
- Australian Government response to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Human Rights Subcommittee report: Inquiry into Australia’s efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty [DOCX 88 KB]
- Australian Government response to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Human Rights Subcommittee report: Inquiry into Australia’s efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty [PDF 210 KB]