Poverty in Australia Assignment

Implications of international human rights
instruments to Social issues in Australia

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Child poverty..........................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
International human rights are the laws which protects obligations and duties in order to
fulfil the human rights. The essay will cover a brief introduction about international human rights
related to Australia. Moreover, children poverty in Australia is one of the major issue in nation.
In this context, the impact of international human rights instruments will be explained in this
study. In addition, it will outline Australia commitment to international standards and ways in
which they are included in policies, legislations and practices.
MAIN BODY
Poverty in Australia is one of the major concern and advocacy focus of ACOSS
(Australian Council of Social Service). There are different ways to measure poverty such as,
such as income or wealth, poverty lines, etc. These measures helps the government to measure
the rate of poverty in the country. The government of country is determined to eradicate or
reduce the poverty level in order maintain the reputation of country. In addition, child poverty is
a major issue as there are 7,31,000 children in Australia amongst 3 million people who are
living in poverty. One in six of children under age of 15 lives in poverty which implies that out
of total population 17.4% lives below poverty line. (Quinn and Alston, 2017).
Child poverty
International human rights law lays down obligation which states bound to respect. Laws,
obligations and duties under international law is to protect and fulfil human rights. Australia has
a strong and proud record towards human rights. The record in not perfect as some people denied
basic rights due to the race, sex, colour and sexuality or other aspects of who they are. Some
Australian groups are vulnerable towards human rights abuses which includes asylum seekers,
migrant from non-speaking background and individuals living below poverty line.
40% of all children in Australia live in single parent house. Children who are not
provided with clothes, food and other necessary materials affects on their growth. This impact
negatively on the health of children and ultimately they suffered from harmful disease. This will
have a negative impact on their education, development and employment opportunities in the
future. Poverty is not about number, it has a real impact on lives of children. Children and
women are mostly affected with the poverty due to the lower employment (Boyden, 2015). It is
responsibility of everyone, especially the local government to reduce the poverty level in
children to make their future bright.
1

The Australian government have endorsed a national framework for the first time in order
to protect children living in nation 2009-2020 and also committed to implement the initial action.
It is a long term national approach that helps to protect children from poverty and their basic
human rights. There are some particular actions which takes time to reduce such as child abuse,
poverty, social restrictions, etc. . Communities, parents, business, government and parties all are
responsible for children protection and safety. The government wants to grow children in a
nourished environment by supporting them with effective, care and loving environment.
It is reported in previous years that child abuse in Australia is increasing at an alarming
rate. It has become a national concern that the child protection system and struggling is under the
law. In 2016, child wellbeing project is launched by ACOSS which shows that most middle year
children are doing well and one in five are falling behind. This include, people with disabilities,
people with material disadvantages, diverse young people, rural and remote young people. The
former president of Australia Bob Hawke is the last leader to place children poverty at the centre
of his governmental agenda's. Recent government policies have targeted vulnerable families
which includes single parents who holds risk of child poverty. Some major factors which are
causing poverty within Australia are lack of access to employment opportunities,, education,
income, housing and health and safety services (Adeola, 2017). A normal person wants to fulfil
his daily requirements which can only be fulfilled by money such as food, clothes and housing.
Sometimes income of the parents is not enough to provide education to their children. Health
services are also a basic need of human body which is decreasing psychological development of
children.
Standards Australia is considered to be a peak standard body that is recognised by
Common wealth government. It is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation which helps
to coordinate with standardised facilities and activities for the development in this country
standards who are working with community, government and industry effectively. Cited country
has a good record of supporting and adopting international human rights. They played an
effective role in development of international human rights and universal declaration.
Australian obligations under international law are subjected to scrutiny. Further, the country is
also part of major human right treaties. There is an impact of treaties on Australian law that they
play effective role in passing legislations to ensure the treaty provision to make a law in
Australia (Degener, 2016). It is required by all nations to combat world problems such as
2

poverty, human rights abuses and climate change. Australia is member of US and shares
responsibilities in order to act with other member of UN to handle international issues.
Source: Oxford, 2017
Australia has agreed to be bound by international human rights treaties, they do not form
part of Australia domestic laws unless the treaties have specifically incorporated into Australian
legislations and laws. Human rights' committee, committee on economic, cultural and social
3
Illustration 1: Treaty Principles Included In Australian Law

rights and committee elimination of racial discrimination are some examples of human rights
treaties that monitors the international human rights implementation. There are seven main
international human right treaties. ICCPR- International Covenant on civil and political right. ICESCR- International Covenant on economic, social and culture right. CERD- International Convention on elimination of all forms of racial discrimination. CEDAW- Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. CAT- Convention against torture and other cruel. CRC- Convention on right of child.
 CRPD- Convention on right of person with disability.
Australia is a country in which these seven human rights system are followed and it is
applicable for all the people living there. All the international human rights mentioned have high
impact on poverty level of Australia especially on children (Livingstone and Third, 2017).
Further, these are helpful enough to make sure that proper support is provided to people in
effective manner. These are the international human rights which comprise Australian treaties
that helps people living to secure their basic human rights in order to live life happily. Number of
policies and laws are implemented by Australian government in order to provide services to local
people especially to children to ensure their bright future. This also help nation to improve its
economic state and head towards growth and development effectively.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above essay that children poverty is one of the major issue
for Australia and the government is planning to make initiatives and policies to help people
suffering from poverty. Communities, people, parents, business, government and parties all are
responsible for children protection and safety in nation. The bright future of children will help
nation to grow and develop which will help in enhancing economic standard. Code of conduct,
practices and other laws are implemented by government in order to secure the luminous
upcoming and development of children. This will also help to save them from illegal activities
such as abusing, labour, etc.
4

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Adeola, F.O., 2017. Environmental injustice and human rights abuse: the states, MNCs, and
repression of minority groups in the world system. In Environmental Rights (pp. 3-
23). Routledge.
Boyden, J., 2015. Childhood and the policy makers: A comparative perspective on the
globalization of childhood. In Constructing and reconstructing childhood (pp. 185-
219). Routledge.
Degener, T., 2016. A human rights model of disability. In Routledge Handbook of Disability
Law and Human Rights (pp. 47-66). Routledge.
Livingstone, S. and Third, A., 2017. Children and young people’s rights in the digital age: An
emerging agenda.
Quinn, G. and Alston, P., 2017. The nature and scope of states parties’ obligations under the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights (pp. 3-76). Routledge.
Online:
Oxford, 2017. Treaty Principles Included in Australian Law. Online available through:
https://www.oup.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/58241/Chapter-24-Australias-
international-legal-obligations.pdf
5