It is with some sadness, but a lot of excitement and optimism, that I write to inform you that our Family Matters Co-Chair Natalie Lewis will be resigning from her Family Matters role, to join the Queensland Family and Child Commission as its new Commissioner.
In her four years with the Family Matters campaign, Natalie has been a powerful, effective advocate for the self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families and for the reforms needed in child protection systems around Australia to ensure their rights.
As Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak, Natalie’s leadership has been instrumental in championing the five elements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle in Queensland’s child protection system, and ushering in reforms that have increased the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, communities and organisations in child protection decision-making and practice.
In her new role as Commissioner, Natalie will lead the Queensland Child and Family Commission’s work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations, including its Families are First program.
On behalf of the Family Matters National Leadership Group, I wish Natalie all the best in her Commissioner role. We know that she will continue in her active support of the Family Matters campaign and goal to end the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection systems by 2040.
Richard Weston
SNAICC CEO & Family Matters Co-Chair