The Albanese Labor Government is committed to achieving better outcomes for First Nations children, young people and their families.
An independent National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People will be officially operational from 13 January next year to progress this aim.
The Commission has now been established as an Executive Agency under the Public Service Act 1999 with applications for the role of the National Commissioner to open this month.
The National Commissioner will be dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights, interests and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people across a range of issues, including the over representation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care.
The Commissioner, a First Nations person, will champion First Nations children’s strengths, sense of hope and ideas for change.
They will work directly with First Nations children and young people and listen to and amplify their voices, needs and aspirations, along with the broader community.
The Commissioner will also work with groups such as the Safe and Supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group, other First Nations leaders, state and territory Children’s Commissioners, Guardians and Advocates, as well as the National Children’s Commissioner and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.
Policy advice will then be provided from the Commissioner to governments to assist in the implementation of key policy frameworks and coordination.
Indigenous children are almost eleven times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children and 29 times more likely to be in youth detention.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth emphasised that the Commission and Commissioner will highlight how systemic change should be inspired and led by First Nations people.
“This is a historic milestone, and one which demonstrates our commitment to shared decision-making through the establishment of a legislated, independent and empowered National Commissioner,” Minister Rishworth said.
“The National Commissioner will work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, commissioners, guardians, advocates, and other stakeholders to provide expert advice on the development and delivery of policies, programs and services to ensure they meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.”
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said the Commission and Commissioner will be an important part of the Commonwealth’s strategy to Closing the Gap on outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
“The over-representation of young people in out-of-home care and youth detention is unacceptable. The National Commissioner will focus on working with First Nations people and organisations on evidence-based programs and policies to turn those figures around,” Minister McCarthy said.
“The National Commissioner will be informed by the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, whose voices deserve to be heard. Their strengths, sense of hope and new ideas will drive systemic change.”
Chair of the Safe and Supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group Catherine Liddle said the Leadership Group has been working with the Albanese Government to frame the National Commissioner’s roles and responsibilities.
“It has taken time to get to this point, but we have to get this role right. Our children deserve it,” Liddle said.
“Through shared decision-making processes we have been able to establish strong functions that reflect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector’s long-held ambition to have a National Commissioner with real authority.
“This position will be a game-changer in tackling the over-representation of our young people in out-of-home care and youth detention.”
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