National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds has welcomed the interim findings by the first ever Senate Inquiry into Australia's child justice and incarceration system.
Tabled on Friday, the interim report highlights the urgent need for political leaders to drive systemic reform to ensure child justice is made a national priority. It followed 223 submissions and testimonies from 40 witnesses, including all of Australia's Children's Commissioners, Guardians, and Advocates.
National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds said: "The Inquiry heard compelling and consistent testimonies about the failures of child justice systems across Australia. There is evidence of widespread breaches of human rights, and a persistent lack of accountability by state and territory governments to act to prevent crime by children and keep communities safe.
"The Senate Committee also heard there is a role for the Federal Government to provide national leadership on reform based on evidence and human rights."
Commissioner Hollonds said the "significant and disturbing evidence" is reflected in the interim report's two recommendations. The Committee recommends 'the Senate continues to pursue an inquiry into the incarceration of children', and that the next Australian Parliament refer to the Senate 'an inquiry into Australia's child justice and detention system, with particular reference to the Commonwealth's responsibilities'.
The Senate Committee also commended the landmark Help Way Earlier! report into child justice reform, led by Ms Hollonds and tabled in Parliament last August. It noted four key recommendations: establishing a National Taskforce to ensure child justice reform, appointing a federal Minister for Children, creating a Ministerial Council for Child Wellbeing, and embedding the international child rights convention into a National Children's Act and federal Human Rights Act.
Commissioner Hollonds: "It is very heartening to see the confirmation of our contribution, which we could not have achieved without the support of fellow child rights advocates, and the many children and families who bravely shared their experiences with the justice system.
"I sincerely hope this interim Senate Inquiry report will be a turning-point for systemic change, after decades of neglect of our youngest citizens.
"These are children in the most vulnerable of circumstances, and we have failed them. It is time for all Australian governments to be accountable for the human rights of children consistent with our obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child."
