The Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services is signatory to a joint statement by the Australian National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) expressing concern and disappointment in the recently announced 2024-25 federal budget which did not contain more funding to support NPMs so they can discharge their full mandate under the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).
While it is positive to see the potential of some time-limited funding to some jurisdictions, current funding is insufficient to meet Australia’s torture prevention responsibilities.
