The Capital Territory is to receive a new Commissioner and Commissioner’s office to act as advocates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the ACT.
Introducing the legislation needed to establish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner, the Minister for Human Rights, Tara Cheyne said the establishment of the Commissioner was part of implementing recommendations from the July 2020 Our Booris, Our Way review.
“The Commissioner will have a clear mandate to advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the ACT, both individually and at a systemic level, to promote their rights and wellbeing,” Ms Cheyne said.
“The Bill includes an explicit requirement for the Commissioner to focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people from a cultural standpoint and recognises the importance of connectedness – to family, community, culture and Country – as critical to best interests, as proposed in the co-design process,” she said.
“The Commissioner’s role includes the ability to intervene on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in relation to decisions that will affect their rights or interests, such as care and protection matters in the Children’s Court.”
Ms Cheyne said the role was co-designed with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to ensure it met the needs of the community.
She said funding for the role had been allocated as part of the 2022-23 Budget, with Government committing over $3.5 million to appropriately establish and staff the Commissioner and their office.
“This includes a support team of four staff dedicated to improving services and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people,” the Minister said.
Ms Cheyne said a national recruitment process would be undertaken in collaboration with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community for the appointment of the inaugural Commissioner.
