071119_thirdcommittee_disabilities - Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations

Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations

New York

Permanent Mission address: 150 East 42 Street, Level 33, New York, New York 10017 - Telephone: 1 212 351 6600 - Fax: 1 212 351 6610

Explanation of position delivered by Ms Lara Nassau, First Secretary, Australian Mission to the United Nations to the Third Committee of the United Nations on the adopted of the resolution on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol

19 November 2007

(As delivered)

Australia is on record at the United Nations as strongly supporting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as evidenced by Australia signing the Convention the very day it opened for signature (30 march 2007). At that time, Australia reiterated at the United Nations its long-standing commitment to eliminating discrimination against people with disability. This commitment is non-controversiala nd ongoing. With this commitment in mind, Australia is currently undertaking thorough processes of legislative scrutiny and consultation that are necessary steps to be taken before parliament considers, and Government decides on, ratification of the Convention.