A new commissioner is to be established to provide monitoring, advice and advocacy on the rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the ACT.
Announced by the Minister for Human Rights, Tara Cheyne, the move follows the 2019 Our Booris, Our Way review into the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system in the ACT.
Ms Cheyne said the Review provided a clear understanding of how to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
“One of the recommendations presented was the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner to provide monitoring, advice and advocacy on the rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children,” Ms Cheyne said.
“The new Commissioner role has been co-designed with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the ACT, in a process facilitated by the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, to ensure the role meets community needs,” she said.
“The co-design process resulted in a proposed model for the establishment of the Commissioner which I have presented to the chamber today, along with the Government’s response to the co-design report.”
Ms Cheyne said Government had agreed to all aspects of the proposed legislative model for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner developed by co-design participants.
She said the foundations for the Commissioner role were informed by key human rights standards.
“The Government is now developing legislation to establish the Commissioner, which is expected to be introduced into the Legislative Assembly later this year,” the Minister said.
“This is an important step forward in the ACT Government acting to promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in our community.”
