The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for Social Services
Senator The Hon Malarndirri McCarthy
Minister for Indigenous Australians
The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on our promise to protect and promote the rights of First Nations children and young people with the appointment of Australia's first National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People.
We are pleased to announce Adjunct Professor Sue-Anne Hunter will take on this role, commencing later this year.
A proud Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman, Ms Hunter brings over 20 years of experience in the family services sector, including senior roles at SNAICC - National Voice of Our Children, the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and as a frontline social worker. She was a Commissioner and Deputy Chair of the Yoorook Justice Commission.
She will replace Lil Gordon who has performed the role of Acting Commissioner since January this year. The Government sincerely thanks Ms Gordon for her service.
Ms Hunter has been tasked with hearing from children and young people on the issues which directly affect them.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are more than 10 times more likely to be in out-of-home care compared to non-Indigenous children and 27 times more likely to be in youth detention.
Recent releases from the Productivity Commission show Closing the Gap Target 12, to reduce the rate of over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care, is not on track to be met and is getting worse.
This is clearly unacceptable and the Albanese Government is committed to working with the states and territories to make sure children have the best start in life.
As the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Ms Hunter will drive change to dismantle barriers faced by First Nations children and young people.
The Albanese Labor Government is working in close partnership with state and territory governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to deliver Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2021-2031.
