Law Council Addresses UN Committee on Australia’s Human Rights Record
19 February 2026
On 16 February 2026, LCA President Tania Wolff addressed the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to present the Law Council’s Parallel Report on Australia’s Sixth Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The Law Council report highlights some areas of particular concern for Australia’s implementation of the Covenant, including the lack of a federal Human Rights Act; funding for legal assistance services; the human rights implications of climate change; housing and homelessness policies; business and human rights; rights protections for First Nations Australians; piecemeal reform of anti-discrimination laws; policy relating to asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants, and further issues identified by Royal Commissions of inquiry in recent years. These issues were highlighted in Ms Wolff's oral statement to the Committee.
The UN Committee’s Taskforce on Australia, led by Dr Seree Nonthasoot of Thailand, heard from several other members of Australian civil society as well, on issues ranging from housing and welfare to children’s rights and drug policies. Ms Wolff highlighted the importance of UN Treaty Body review mechanisms such as these for human rights accountability in Australia, and thanked the Committee for its interest in issues facing the nation.
Last Updated on 03/03/2026