An independent Queensland Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children

STATEMENT FROM QFCC PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER LUKE TWYFORD

Every child in Queensland deserves to be loved, respected and have their rights upheld.

Across Queensland, and indeed Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are persistently and disproportionately impacted by systemic and structural inequity. This disadvantage will exist in perpetuity unless action is prioritised to address it.

Every Australian state and territory committed to establishing a dedicated, independent and appropriately empowered Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children. 

All Australian governments agreed to this under Action 7A of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Action Plan 2023–26, developed under Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021–31.

In our submission to Queensland Parliament about the review of the Family and Child Commission Act 2014 (Qld), I was clear that the existing model for Commissioners in Queensland does not enable functional independence nor the ability to exercise legislative powers in the performance of statutory functions of the Commissioner. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples must be empowered to exercise self-determination to deliver better outcomes for children, families and communities.

An independent Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children in Queensland, and all other states and jurisdictions, will bring independent accountability and focused advocacy to protect and promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. 

This role is vital in achieving progress against Closing the Gap targets to reduce over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection and youth justice systems, and it will support the important work of the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People announced by the Federal Government earlier this year.

These roles are essential in safeguarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s wellbeing and maintaining meaningful connection to kin, culture and Country.

This commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to promote and protect their rights and to build a culture of everyday accountability within the systems that support them is game changing.

Queensland’s actions to progress this commitment should not rely on other jurisdictions meeting theirs. 

Queensland can and should take action now.

I urge the Queensland Government to forge on and fulfil its commitment in the interests of First Nations children and young people across Queensland.

ENDS

For media information contact:

Kirstine O’Donnell | Queensland Family and Child Commission
Phone:  0404 971 164
Email:    media@qfcc.qld.gov.au