More than 80 organisations and commissioners are calling for a national commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in Australia. The call is being led by SNAICC, the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and the Family Matters campaign, and comes during National Children’s Week.
“This is a resounding call from organisations and children’s commissioners and guardians from across Australia,” says SNAICC Chair Muriel Bamblett.
They want to see change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at a national level because Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people often fall through the cracks of our federal system.”
There is an urgent need to establish a dedicated national commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. A commissioner is needed to provide oversight and accountability for services to improve and protect the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.”
A national commissioner would play a vital role providing a dedicated voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people at the national level. They would also support strategies for more effective collaboration and coordination both between and within governments.”
Victoria and South Australia have established state commissioners that have uncovered systemic issues that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. It is time that the federal government also establish a dedicated commissioner so that our children’s rights receive a dedicated focus at the national level,” says Ms Bamblett.
– Muriel Bamblett, SNAICC Chair
The Family Matters Report 2019 and another report this month by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child show Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people experience widespread and persistent discrimination and disadvantage.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are 10.2 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than other children and 17 times more likely to be in juvenile detention. They are 2.6 times more likely to be developmentally vulnerable than other children when they start school.
Past attempts at improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have failed because no one has been held accountable,” says SNAICC CEO and Family Matters Co-Chair Richard Weston. “A dedicated commissioner would help ensure that government commitments are being implemented and that our children’s rights are being respected.”
The Family Matters Report 2019 reveals there is a lack of coherence and consistency in how Australian governments deliver services that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.”
It is imperative that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are kept connected to family, culture and community. With an overarching strategy and commissioner, we can ensure there are national standards and practice across all jurisdictions to improve outcomes for our kids. “
A dedicated focus on advancing the rights of the current generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people is essential to end the intergenerational cycle of disadvantage and progress equality for future generations,” says Mr Weston.
– Richard Weston, SNAICC CEO and Co-Chair Family Matters
The 83 organisations and state and territory children’s commissioners and guardians endorsing the position paper calling for a national commissioner include not-for-profit organisations working to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
The position paper calls for a national commissioner role that must:
- be established by legislation to ensure independence and autonomy from government
- be filled by an identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person with appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience and appointed through a transparent process
- be mandated with a clear scope and purpose for the role
- be granted appropriate functions and powers to promote systemic change and accountability, including powers of inquiry and investigation
- be adequately resourced to perform its role effectively.
