Establishing a Queensland Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

JOINT STATEMENT FROM QFCC COMMISSIONERS NATALIE LEWIS AND LUKE TWYFORD

We welcome the commitment from the Queensland Government to appoint an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner, as featured in the Community Safety Plan for Queensland released yesterday.

Establishing an independent and appropriately empowered Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children was an action* committed to by all state and territory governments under Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021–2031.

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner will bring independent accountability and focussed advocacy to promote and protect the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland. 

This role will be vital in achieving progress against Closing the Gap targets to reduce over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland’s 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.

Yesterday's commitment follows years of sustained, collective advocacy from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, leaders and organisations; the QFCC; and children’s commissioners and guardians from around the country.

We are now a step closer to realising this immense opportunity for Queensland, and we look forward to seeing the role implemented as soon as possible.

* 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.

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