The government is progressing work to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner in the ACT as part of its commitment to fully implement recommendations from the Our Booris, Our Way report.
Legislation to establish the Commissioner role was introduced in the Assembly in September after the role was co-designed with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community. An interim Advocate role, supported by the community, has been established to support children and their families while the legislation is being passed.
Ms Barbara (Barb) Causon PSM, former Chair of the previous Our Booris Our Way Steering Committee and Implementation Oversight Committee, has accepted the Advocate role. Ms Causon brings to the role her significant experience as a senior public servant and a key advocate for child protection reform to address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal families in the system.
Minister for Human Rights, Tara Cheyne said it is important that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in the ACT are supported in the interim by a trusted member of the community.
"I am very pleased that Ms Causon, a Wiradjuri woman with significant experience supporting the interests of families and children involved in the child protection system, will fill the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Advocate while the Commissioner role is being established."
"As we work to progress the commissioner role, we know that children and their families need this engagement now, and this Interim Advocate role is critical to delivering that. Ms Causon is a trusted member of the community and will play a key leadership role to help improve services and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families," Minister Cheyne said.
The Our Booris, Our Way Report recommended a new specialist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner to help address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the child protection system and ensure their needs are better met within the system.
Minister for Families and Community Services Rachel Stephen-Smith said the ACT Government is committed to implementing the Our Booris, Our Way recommendations to achieve positive outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families.
"Real change can only be realised through strong collaboration, transparency and accountability. Ms Causon has been key in steering the Our Booris, Our Way process and has a strong commitment to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children live their best lives, connected to their community, culture and country," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Advocate, Barb Causon said she is looking forward to helping and giving a voice to children and their families.
"As a proud Wiradjuri woman, I am looking forward to bringing my personal experience and professional experience as Chair of the Our Booris, Our Way Steering Committee and Implementation Oversight Committee to the Advocate role.
"This role is an important step in giving a voice to our children, young people and their families while also helping them navigate some of the complex systems that impact on them.
"I am also pleased to see that the ACT Government has undertaken an extensive process in conjunction with Jumbunna Institute to set up the critical role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner.
"The Commissioner role will help reduce the number of our children entering the system, improve the experience of our children who are in out of home care and restore children to their families wherever possible," said Ms Causon.
The inaugural Commissioner will be independent of government and regularly engage with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the ACT.
Legislation was introduced into the Assembly in September 2022 to establish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner role and is due to be passed before the end of the year. Recruitment for the Commissioner will likely begin in early 2023.
