Family Matters

Strong communities. Strong culture. Stronger children.

  • Home
  • About us
    • Family Matters’ vision
      • Our approach
      • The Roadmap
    • Family Matters leaders
    • The issue
      • Report 2020
      • 2020 Snapshot Data
      • State and territory data
    • Who’s with us?
      • Family Matters Strategic Alliance
      • Supporters for a National Commissioner
    • FAQ
    • News & Media
  • The Report
    • The Family Matters Report 2022
    • Reports and Publications
  • The solutions
    • The Family Matters approach
    • The Roadmap
    • The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle
  • Take Action
    • Campaign Resources
      • Reflective Practice Tool
      • State and territory report data
      • Community resource guides
      • Videos
      • Learn more
    • National Week of Action
      • Resources
    • Call for a national commissioner
    • Sign up your organisation
    • Sign up yourself
  • Contact

SNAICC and Family Matters commend stronger powers for South Australia Aboriginal Children’s Commissioner

December 9, 2020 By Family Matters

SNAICC and the Family Matters National Leadership Group welcome the recent announcement of increased powers for South Australia’s Aboriginal Children’s Commissioner.

Last week, Minister Gardner introduced the Bill to amend the Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Act 2016, to establish the position of the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People in legislation. This will place the role on equal footing with South Australia’s Commissioner for Children and Young People.

SA Aboriginal Children’s Commissioner April Lawrie will be conducting independent inquiries and formal investigations into issues such as the removal of Aboriginal babies from their mothers at birth and the adherence of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle in South Australia – so that our children can grow up safe with their family in community and culture.

SNAICC CEO Richard Weston expressed his support for the amendments.

We are pleased that the South Australian Aboriginal Children’s Commissioner role has been granted appropriate functions and powers to ensure systemic change and accountability for our children as it should always have been.”

The amendment supports the Family Matters campaign that calls for a commissioner in every Australian state and territory, as well as a national commissioner for Aboriginal children and young people to advocate for the rights of children and create accountability for systems and better practice.

Family Matters Co-Chair Sue-Anne Hunter says,

A commissioner role should conform with the Paris Principles – the human rights guidelines set out by the United Nations. It should be established by legislation and be granted appropriate functions and powers to promote change and accountability through inquiry and investigation.

“We are confident that Commissioner Lawrie can move forward in ensuring our children have the right to be heard and the government are kept accountable to the Family Matters and Closing the Gap targets to reduce the over-representation of our kids in out-of-home care.”

– Sue-Anne Hunter, Family Matters Co-Chair

Media release 9 December 2020 – SNAICC and Family Matters commend stronger powers for South Australia Aboriginal Children’s Commissioner

Filed Under: Media releases

Events

There are no upcoming events at this time.

About Us

Family Matters is Australia’s
national campaign to ensure
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander children grow up safe
and cared for surrounded by
their own family, community and
culture.
Read More >>

Find Out More

  • About Us
  • Who’s with us?
  • Our Vision
  • The Issue
  • The Solutions
  • Media
  • Contact
  • Join us

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Tweets by @fam_matters_au

Copyright © 2023 · Family Matters is proudly brought to you by SNAICC · Website by Clickify