Which Australian Act implements the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) domestically?

• A. Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)
• B. International Criminal Court Act 2002 (Cth)
• C. International Criminal Court (Consequential Amendments) Act 2002 (Cth)
• D. Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986

Answer: (A)

ICERD requires a country to outlaw racial discrimination and to provide remedies for it at the national level. Australia puts this into effect through the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, which directly bars discrimination on grounds of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin in key areas of public life and also covers racial vilification. The other acts are tied to different international obligations or functions: one implements the Rome Statute and addresses ICC-related crimes; another amends laws to accommodate ICC obligations; and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act sets up the commission and its powers to handle complaints and promote rights, rather than being the primary statute that prohibits discrimination. So the Racial Discrimination Act is the statute that directly implements ICERD domestically.