Meet Deb Tsorbaris,
Australia's National Children's Commissioner.
Her job is to stand up for your rights, and make sure your voices are heard.
What is your job?
My job is to make sure that children and young people in Australia have a voice and their rights are upheld. Rights are the things children and young people need to grow up happy, healthy, and safe, like going to school, having a safe place to live, and speaking up about things that are important to them. All children should feel they belong and are connected to family, friends, and their communities.
What do you do for children and young people?
I listen to children across the country, to hear about their lives and find out what’s important to them. I also tell the government what children said and work out ways the government can help. I also take this information to inform laws, policies and services that will work for children and their families. I talk to lots of people about children’s rights, needs and opinions, and make sure these are included when I speak publicly.
What is the one thing you hear most often from children about their rights?
Children tell me they want to be heard, and they want adults to act on what they tell them. They also tell me how important their families and friends are in their lives. Children know if they are being treated fairly with dignity and respect, so their input is very important.
What do you love about your job?
The best thing about my job is meeting and listening to children, their families, and communities. This is at the heart of my job, and means I can tell organisations that work with Children and Government what I have heard and what children need.
If you could do one thing for children in Australia, what would it be?
For every child in Australia to be safe, to belong, to make sure their families are well supported to care for them and to have their views represented. I am hoping that there will be a National Children’s Minister in the future to ensure we have a dedicated focus on Australia’s Children.
What do you like to do when you’re not working for children’s rights?
I have four grown-up children, a wonderful daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, a dog called Samuel and my 12-year-old rescue cat, Evie. They keep me busy and I love spending time with them. I also enjoy walking and watching movies, music and visiting my large extended family overseas.