A/HRC/17/2 recommendations and the Government’s response. Australia welcomed the commitment and energy brought to the universal periodic review process by Australia’s human rights community. 457. Australia had accepted entirely or in part 137 recommendations, and expressed its intention to provide the Human Rights Council with an interim report prior to its next review. It highlighted some of the recent important developments in identified key focus areas raised by delegations. 458. Regarding Australia’s international human rights obligations and their domestic implementation, Australia was committed to using accepted recommendations to develop a new human rights action plan, the preparation of which was well under way. Progress had been made in developing an education and training programme for Commonwealth public servants to raise awareness and understanding of Australia’s international human rights obligations. 459. In addition, legislation was before Parliament to establish a parliamentary joint committee on human rights and for requiring new legislation to be accompanied by a statement of compatibility with Australia’s obligations under the core human rights treaties to which it was party. Policy work and drafting had commenced to review and consolidate federal anti-discrimination laws and to introduce legislation protecting against discrimination on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. 460. With regard to the recommendations on the rights of indigenous peoples, Australia highlighted the election in April 2011 of the co-chairpersons of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples. The National Congress would provide a mechanism with which Governments and the corporate and community sectors could engage and work on reform initiatives, and an informed and strong national voice for the goals, aspirations, interests and values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 461. With regard to recommendations relating to combating racism and promoting tolerance, a recent development was the launch in February 2011 of Australia’s new multicultural policy, “The People of Australia”. The policy recognized that Australia was a multicultural nation and outlined key principles designed to strengthen its social cohesion and to combat racism. It established the Australian Multicultural Council as an independent body to advise the Government, a new national anti-racism partnership and strategy, and a multicultural youth sports partnership programme. 462. With regard to Australia’s counter-terrorism measures and efforts to ensure compliance with its international obligations, a recent development was the appointment in April 2011 of the first Independent National Security Legislation Monitor. The Monitor would review the operation, effectiveness and implications of Australia’s counter-terrorism and national security legislation, and report to the Prime Minister and Parliament on an on going basis. 463. Information was provided on developments with regard to recommendations concerning the rights of women and children. In February 2011, the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children was endorsed by Federal, State and Territory Governments. It was the first plan to coordinate actions across jurisdictions; focus on prevention, including building respectful relationships among young people and working to increase gender equality to stop violence occurring in the first place; and focus on holding perpetrators accountable and encourage behaviour change. 464. In March 2011, reforms to the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 were announced, requiring large employers to report on gender equality outcomes, including the gender composition of their organizations and their boards, pay equity and the availability of flexible work arrangements. GE.12-13630 153