Wednesday, 12 May 2010
A national children’s Commissioner would improve protection of children’s rights
Establishing a national Commissioner for Children and Young People would be an important step in improving the protection of children’s rights in Australia, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission Cathy Branson QC, said today.
Speaking in support of the Commonwealth Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill due to be tabled in federal Parliament today by the Greens, President Branson said the Commission supported the concept of establishing an independent statutory office at the national level to advocate for the needs, rights and views of people under the age of 18 years.
“Australia lacks a body dedicated to ensuring a comprehensive approach to protecting children’s rights across Australia,” Ms Branson said.
“A national Commissioner for Children and Young People would provide advice on how to best protect vulnerable children – such as children and young people experiencing homelessness, Indigenous children and those in immigration detention centres.
“We welcome the Greens’ proposal to establish a national Commissioner for Children and Young People, and are particularly pleased the Greens are encouraging young people to actively participate in developing this proposal,” she said.
Ms Branson said a national Commissioner for Children and Young People would monitor whether Australia was meeting its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
She said the Australian Human Rights Commission had done some important work in the area of children’s rights including the 1997 Bringing them home report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families, and A last resort?, the 2004 report of the National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention.
“The Australian Human Rights Commission currently has responsibility for monitoring Australia’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child so we see the establishment of a dedicated Commissioner in this area as an important step forward,” she said.
“We look forward to seeing more detail of the Greens’ Bill and look forward to working with the Greens, the Government and key non-government organisations to progress discussion of this proposal.”
Media contact: Louise McDermott 02 9284 9851 or 0419 258 597
