A/HRC/17/2 465. With regard to developments relating to recommendations on the rights of persons with disabilities, in February 2011, the first National Disability Strategy was endorsed by Federal, State and Territory Governments, following extensive consultation across the country. It set a 10-year reform plan for all Governments to address barriers faced by Australians with a disability, and would ensure that mainstream services and programmes, including health care, housing, transport and education address the needs of people with a disability. 466. Concerning recommendations relating to the rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, a recent development in this area was the introduction of legislation in February 2011 to enshrine non-refoulement obligations in law. Existing processes required the personal intervention of the Minister to ensure compliance with non-refoulement obligations. The new complementary protection legislation would provide for the granting of a protection visa in circumstances that engage Australia’s non-refoulement obligations under human rights treaties other than the Refugee Convention, allowing for greater certainty and faster outcomes for vulnerable people at risk of violation of their fundamental human rights. 467. With reference to recommendations concerning children in immigration detention and the Government’s expansion of its existing residence determination programme, the Government had made a commitment that the majority of children would be moved into community-based accommodation by the end of June 2011. The Australian Red Cross was the lead agency for the implementation of those arrangements, and would draw on the expertise of a wide range of experienced service providers and contributing organizations. 468. To conclude, Australia highlighted the fact that the Government had given serious consideration to each of the recommendations made during its universal periodic review. It openly acknowledged the existence of human rights challenges in the country. The Government viewed the universal periodic review as an occasion to reflect on those challenges and to renew its commitment to continue work to strengthen human rights protections. The Government signalled Australia’s longer-term engagement with the review process as part of its enduring commitment to human rights. It thanked the President, the States Members of the Human Rights Council and the universal periodic review Secretariat for their involvement in Australia’s first review. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Human Rights Council on the review outcome 469. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic commended Australia for having accepted a large number of recommendations. It noted that Australia continued to put in place a broad range of laws, policies and programmes to protect and promote human rights, including with a view to closing the gap in opportunities between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, achieving gender equality and reducing violence against women. The Government had clearly demonstrated its commitment to engaging with United Nations mechanisms in promoting human rights, and was also helping developing countries by providing aid where it was most needed. 470. Timor-Leste noted with appreciation that Australia had accepted most recommendations and respected its decision not to accept the recommendation regarding legal protection of irregular migrants. However, it reminded Australia that, being dislodged from their homes, irregular migrants were first and foremost in need of protection and assistance. In this regard, it commended Australia for its recent change in policy towards unaccompanied asylum seeking children, and asylum seekers in general. 471. Algeria praised Australia for its long human rights tradition, as well as its courage to present apologies for the harm done to the aboriginal people. Referring to its 154 GE.12-13630