A/HRC/17/10 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its tenth session from 24 January to 4 February 2011. The review of Australia was held at the 8th meeting on 27 January 2011. The delegation of Australia was headed by Ms.Kate Lundy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister. At its 12th meeting held on 31 January 2011, the Working Group adopted the report on Australia. 2. On 21 June 2010, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Australia: Djibouti, France and Slovakia. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Australia: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/AUS/1 and Corr. 1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/AUS/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/AUS/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Australia through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the UPR. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. Thanks were expressed to the international community for support given in relation to the floods Australia is currently experiencing. Mr. Robert McClelland had hoped to lead the Australian delegation, but was unable to due to his responsibilities for emergency management and the unprecedented floods across Australia at present. 6. Appreciation was shown by the delegation for the work of the Australian Human Rights Commission and non-government organizations in preparing for Australia’s universal periodic review. 7. The delegation emphasized that the Australian Government is committed to a fairer and more inclusive Australia, stating that a community that respects the rights of all citizens is stronger, safer and more resilient to challenges. 8. The delegation noted that while Australia has in place a broad range of laws, policies and programmes to respect, protect and promote human rights, there are also human rights challenges in particular areas. These include closing the gap in opportunities and life outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and in achieving gender equality and reducing violence against women. 9. The delegation described a nation-wide human rights consultation held in 2009, conducting over 65 community roundtables and public hearings in more than 50 urban, regional and remote locations. The consultation received 35,000 submissions, making this 3