other Australian Government statements indicated that it was intended to cover the five-year period from 1994 to 1998. The plan begins with a preamble, which is useful as a guide to the Australian system of government for non-Australian readers. The plan is comprehensive in its scope and gives particular attention to economic, social and cultural rights and the rights of vulnerable groups. It also addresses how Australia can strengthen its adherence to international norms, better incorporate international standards into domestic law, strengthen its human rights institutions, promote human rights education and strengthen its international relationships in the field of human rights. The plan is structured around suggestions as to how the plan could promote improvements in the observance of human rights in Australia. To provide an indication of this approach, the following is a selection of section headings: (a) Indicate the United Nations or regional human rights instruments Australia intends to ratify and outline concrete steps by which this objective is to be achieved … (e) Develop targets for Australia in the area of economic, social and cultural rights and indicate progress towards their achievement, for example, by: … (ii) the right to health … (vii) the right to an adequate standard of living with particular reference to housing … (i) Define a programme of human rights information and education, including in school curricula and the workplace, for Australia Each section contains three sub-sections: • Features of Current Policy, which contains a description of action undertaken so far in the relevant area; • Challenges Ahead, which provides some assessment of the shortcomings in the present situation; and • Proposed National Action, which identifies action Australia will or could take to address the challenges and thereby improve the observance of human rights. The Australian plan made no provision for a monitoring or review process. The Australian Government did, however, submit two reports to the Commission on Human Rights covering progress towards achieving the plan’s goals. During the period of the first plan, Australian officials foreshadowed the preparation of a further plan, with the implication that the original plan would then be reviewed. The Australian Government subsequently announced, on Human Rights Day, 10 December 1998, that a new plan would be prepared. At the time of drafting this Handbook, work continues on this project. 25