[Apollo]

According to a UN report, Australia's Aborigines live in some of the worst housing in the world. We would like to know what Australia plans to do to combat this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4796027.stm

[Nutter]

(Original post by Apollo)
According to a UN report, Australia's Aborigines live in some of the worst housing in the world. We would like to know what Australia plans to do to combat this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4796027.stm

We thank the Chinese ambassador for raising this issue.

Australia's federal government and state governments, especially the Governor of the Northern Territory, will seek to improve our housing facilities for our populace in due course. We do have limited resources and other priorities, but we wish to assure the UN that we are not entirely ignoring the Aboriginies of this fine land.

We also wish to point out to the UNGA of our government's “shared responsibility agreement” with indigenous communities, in which such communities are forced to commit to behavioural change before they receive funding for services. We feel that this is in the best interest of the social progress of this country.

Nevertheless, the government is considering the suggestion by the UN Special Rapporteur to appoint a Federal Housing Minister to address our housing issues, in line with other plans and programmes to improve the civil service.

Once again, we thank the Chinese ambassador.

[Apollo]

China thanks the Australian rep for his comments, but wishes to know Australia will improve the aborigines access to civil services.

[Knogle]

(Original post by Nutter)
We thank the Chinese ambassador for raising this issue.

Australia's federal government and state governments, especially the Governor of the Northern Territory, will seek to improve our housing facilities for our populace in due course. We do have limited resources and other priorities, but we wish to assure the UN that we are not entirely ignoring the Aboriginies of this fine land.

We also wish to point out to the UNGA of our government's “shared responsibility agreement” with indigenous communities, in which such communities are forced to commit to behavioural change before they receive funding for services. We feel that this is in the best interest of the social progress of this country.

Nevertheless, the government is considering the suggestion by the UN Special Rapporteur to appoint a Federal Housing Minister to address our housing issues, in line with other plans and programmes to improve the civil service.

Once again, we thank the Chinese ambassador.

Really, ambassadors and representatives aren't that polite in the real UN.

Anyhow, we trust that the Australian government will be responsible enough as a leading democracy to look after its people, including the native aborigines.

[Nutter]

(Original post by Apollo)
China thanks the Australian rep for his comments, but wishes to know Australia will improve the aborigines access to civil services.

Yes, in due course, and as part of our other social programmes for the Australian people.

The programmes would certainly be expedited by their cooperation in the behavioural change programmes for the greater social good of the community.

We thank the ambassador for raising this issue, and for the opportunity to explain our stance.

[Champagne Breakfast]

(Original post by Nutter)
Australia's federal government and state governments, especially the Governor of the Northern Territory, will seek to improve our housing facilities for our populace in due course. We do have limited resources and other priorities, but we wish to assure the UN that we are not entirely ignoring the Aboriginies of this fine land.

We also wish to point out to the UNGA of our government's “shared responsibility agreement” with indigenous communities, in which such communities are forced to commit to behavioural change before they receive funding for services. We feel that this is in the best interest of the social progress of this country.

Why are your other 'priorities' more important than the Aboriginies?

Why are the Aboriginies being 'forced' to change their behaviour, and how is this 'in the best interest' of social progress in Australia, a country which surely aims to promote diversity and acceptance?

[Nutter]

(Original post by The Ace is Back)
Why are your other 'priorities' more important than the Aboriginies?

Why are the Aboriginies being 'forced' to change their behaviour, and how is this 'in the best interest' of social progress in Australia, a country which surely aims to promote diversity and acceptance?

That is our domestic/internal policy and we feel that the North Korean ambassador is in no position whatsoever to be questioning our policies.

We will do as we deem fit for our people, and will ensure that no human rights are breached in the process. That's all that the UN really should (and is authorised) to be concerned about.

The rest of the debate shall stay within our borders.

[Knogle]

That is our domestic/internal policy and we feel that the North Korean ambassador is in no position whatsoever to be questioning our policies.

For the record:- this is one of the lamest excuses that any country can use in responding to criticism. I'm not directing this at just the Australian ambassador, but across the board. We need to learn how to respond to the criticism objectively without avoiding behind the 'internal issue' wall. The UN exists to place checks and balances on member countries after all, no?

I admit that I have used this argument myself sometimes, but these days, I try to avoid it as far as possible.

[Nutter]

(Original post by Knogle)
For the record:- this is one of the lamest excuses that any country can use in responding to criticism. I'm not directing this at just the Australian ambassador, but across the board. We need to learn how to respond to the criticism objectively without avoiding behind the 'internal issue' wall. The UN exists to place checks and balances on member countries after all, no?

I admit that I have used this argument myself sometimes, but these days, I try to avoid it as far as possible.

Umm, no.

(Original post by Paragraph 7 of Article 2 of Chapter 1 of the UN Charter)
Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter; but this principle shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter Vll.

http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/chapter1.htm

Australia maintains that UN members are in no position to be demanding answers to such questions, and we urge the UK Ambassador (and all ambassadors at large, really) to familiarise himself with the UN charter in greater depth.

[Knogle]

That could very well be classified as a human rights issue, and yes, the UN can have a say in it. It isn't in the real UN because the issue isn't of much significance when compared to other more pertinent ones like the Israeli conflict, violence in Sri Lanka, bla bla bla.

[Champagne Breakfast]

North Korea was simply curious as to Australia's reasoning, and wished to hear the story from the Australian ambassador - who is in a better position than any here to know of Australia's internal goings-on - before reaching any conclusions.

[Nutter]

Well you aren't going to hear any more from us on this matter, and we would encourage you not to draw any ill-informed conclusions.

[Champagne Breakfast]

Well we might have to, if you're forcing people to change their habits.

[Nutter]

(Original post by The Ace is Back)
Well we might have to, if you're forcing people to change their habits.

I'm asking you to abide by the UN Charter; do it or feel free to get yourself a replacement.

Sorry to be harsh but that's a basic requirement.

OOC: Damn you Dan for starting this in the first place.

[Champagne Breakfast]

Forcing citizens to change their habits directly contradicts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, thus this is open to discussion within the UNGA. All I'm asking is - why are you forcing the Aboriginies to change their habits? Does Australia no longer claim to be a free country which promotes diversity and acceptance?

[Nutter]

(Original post by The Ace is Back)
Forcing citizens to change their habits directly contradicts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, thus this is open to discussion within the UNGA. All I'm asking is - why are you forcing the Aboriginies to change their habits? Does Australia no longer claim to be a free country which promotes diversity and acceptance?

Is the North Korean ambassador actually asking me that?

Congratulations, you've just made by day.

Hooray for human rights!

[Champagne Breakfast]

(Original post by Nutter)
Is the North Korean ambassador actually asking me that?

Congratulations, you've just made by day.

Hooray for human rights!

Well yes, he is.

North Korea is intrigued that the Australian ambassador seemingly has nothing to say (?) in response to the accusations that Australia, self-declared a 'free' and 'democratic' country which promotes diversity and acceptance, is both forcing its citizens to change their behaviour and directly contradicting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

You'll also forgive me, I'm sure, for finding Australia's mockery of human rights (I quote - 'Hooray for human rights!') rather uncharacteristic.