A/HRC/31/14 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-third session from 2 to 13 November 2015. The review of Australia was held at the 12th meeting on 9 November 2015. The delegation of Australia was headed by First Assistant Secretary, International Law and Human Rights Division, Attorney-General’s Department, John Reid. At its 17th meeting held on 12 November 2015, the Working Group adopted the report on Australia. 2. On 13 January 2015, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Australia: Germany, Japan and Namibia. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, 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.6/23/AUS/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.6/23/AUS/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/23/AUS/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Australia through the troika. These questions are available on the universal periodic review extranet. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation expressed the support of Australia for the universal periodic review and noted the country’s long tradition of robust commitment to supporting and promoting human rights internationally. In line with that tradition, Australia was seeking a seat on the Human Rights Council during 2018-2020 to strengthen its global leadership on human rights. 6. Australia thanked the Australian Human Rights Commission and civil society organizations for their involvement in the review process, and reaffirmed its commitment to engage in a wide-ranging and balanced human rights debate. 7. As part of the country’s positive engagement with the universal periodic review, the delegation announced nine voluntary commitments (see section III below). 8. Two members of Parliament were part of the delegation, Philip Ruddock and Anne McEwen, the Chair and Deputy Chair, respectively, of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Mr. Ruddock is also the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. 9. Mr. Ruddock explained the role of the Joint Committee in promoting human rights domestically by means of the requirement for laws to be accompanied by a statement of compatibility with human rights. 3