National action plan on business and human rights

97. Australia is not progressing with a National Action Plan on business and human rights, at this stage, but is focused on supporting the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles).
    • Australia co-sponsored the resolution adopting the UN Guiding Principles and encourages businesses to apply the principles in their operations in Australia and abroad.

Free, prior informed consent of Indigenous women before large-scale development and extractive industry project is approved

98. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) protects natural, historic or Indigenous places of outstanding national heritage, and recognises the role of Indigenous peoples in protecting and sustainably using the environment, applying Indigenous peoples' knowledge with their cooperation.
99. Under the Critical Minerals Strategy 2023‑2030, the benefits from the growth of Australia's critical minerals sector must be shared with and driven by the strengths and aspirations of the Indigenous communities in which projects take place. Governments and industry are responsible for progressing meaningful engagement, agreement making and benefit sharing with Indigenous communities.
    • Over 60% of Australian resource projects operate on land covered by Native Title claim or determination. Nationally, Native Title holders and registered Native Title claimants have different procedural rights (including the right to be consulted or right to negotiate) regarding mining interests.
    • Approximately 50% of the NT's landmass and 80% of its coastline is Indigenous land subject to the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976 (Cth). The Act gives a right of veto to Traditional Owners regarding exploration and mining on Indigenous lands.

Measures taken to investigate violations of women's human rights by business corporations

100. Australia expects multinational businesses operating in Australia, or operating overseas, to adhere to standards in the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct.
101. The Government delivers the Australian National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct to resolve complaints against multinationals as a non-judicial grievance mechanism for individuals or communities allegedly impacted by adverse human rights or other negative impacts from multinational operations. Several Australian companies or multinationals based in Australia have participated in this grievance mechanism.

Compensation and rehabilitation of women victims of the Bougainville conflict

102. Australia continues to support rehabilitation and peace building efforts in Bougainville, including through community-based peacebuilding, conflict resolution and counselling services to women.