 measures to make childcare free.201 However, many of these economic measures exclude critical groups, such as migrant workers, asylum seekers, refugees and many casual workers, who are already economically vulnerable, and who may be pushed into destitution or unsafe situations, such as highly exploitative work practices. 202 The impact of these economic measures needs to be closely monitored with most assistance due to end between July and September 2020. The end of assistance, with millions of people still unemployed or underemployed, will present significant human rights challenges for large numbers of people. Monitoring the human rights impact as these measures are withdrawn will be critical. The impact of the end of free childcare will need to be monitored carefully in relation to gender equality. A HUMAN RIGHTS FRAMEWORK FOR RECOVERY A human rights decision making framework must shape the Australian Government’s legislative and policy approach to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This must involve creating transparent, accessible, and accountable institutional structures for civil society engagement in government decision making, and moving away from the undemocratic processes, such as the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission. As the immediate health emergency subsides, a key issue will be re-assessing the proportionality of measures that curtail human rights. For example, as governments lift restrictions, they should also be taking steps to facilitate safe and peaceful protests, such as the Black Lives Matter protests.203 In addition, identifying and addressing pre-existing inequalities, and how COVID-19 has impacted on these, should be central to responses of Australian governments so as to prevent inequality deepening into the future. Further, the swelling of the Black Lives Matter movement in Australia should remind governments that they have a duty to ensure that COVID-19 does not delay urgent action on long-standing human rights issues, such as ending Aboriginal deaths in custody and overimprisonment. The NGO Report, particularly the recommendations, offers a human rights roadmap which, if accepted, could align economic stimulus measures with human rights principles. An opportunity exists to turn the calamity of the pandemic into a thoughtful rebuilding which addresses inequality and sets Australia on the road to addressing major human rights concerns. Economic stimulus could be directed in areas such as addressing overcrowding and homelessness through social and affordable housing, addressing gender inequality and strengthening Australia’s response to climate change. The changes during the pandemic that have radically improved the lives of some people on social security should also be maintained post the emergency response.204 Other successes, such as the pivotal leadership role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the community controlled health sector in so far preventing the devastation COVID-19 posed to First Nations communities,205 highlight the critical importance of community-led recovery measures. These need to be built upon to address the critical human rights issues highlighted in the NGO Report. The swift response to the health emergency by Australian Governments demonstrated an understanding of the sanctity of life and the human right to health. It is with the same commitment that we must address the well-documented human rights concerns in Australia, including those that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. The human rights breaches outlined in the NGO Report represent just as critical a threat to life and health as COVID-19. We must approach these concerns with the same urgency and sense of national responsibility. In these extraordinary times, human rights present us with a values-based roadmap to recovery that centres on human dignity, opportunity and equality. This would be a fitting long term response to the pandemic for future generations. NGO Co-ordinating Committee 3 July 2020 25