The Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People has been empowered to conduct inquiries and carry out other activities at the same level as the existing Commissioner for Children and Young People.
Announcing the reforms, the Minister for Education, John Gardner said new laws elevated the powers of the Commissioner, April Lawrie, so they are equivalent to those enjoyed by the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Helen Connolly.
Mr Gardner said Ms Lawrie was South Australia’s inaugural Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People and until now had been working in partnership with Commissioner Connolly.
He said the new laws gave Ms Lawrie independent authority in areas of focus including improving health, education, child protection and justice outcomes.
The Minister commended Ms Lawrie, a proud Aboriginal woman from the Mirning and Kokatha peoples from the Far West Coast, for the work she had done in the role over the past three years.
“April Lawrie has been a vigorous advocate for Aboriginal children and young people throughout South Australia in this role and has devoted her time to raising awareness of issues across the service system,” Mr Gardner said.
He said the challenges facing Aboriginal children and young people were complex, but the Commissioner would assist in improving Government services to support them.
“It is a very important piece of legislation that will give a voice to many Aboriginal children and young people in a formal way, with the Commissioner acting as their megaphone,” Mr Gardner said.
