Indigenous leaders have warned the newly appointed children's commissioner role needs real teeth if it's going to make a difference in the lives of First Nations kids. Advocates who've gathered in Brisbane say the role must come with genuine powers to hold governments to account for their failure to close the gap.
00:00Removed from her mother as a baby, Mia spent much of her childhood in out-of-home care.
00:07There was only a handful of people that actually were there and felt like they were there because they cared for us and wanted to help us.
00:15Mia's now a mentor for other kids in care and says the system desperately needs change.
00:21One of my social workers had like 13 kids on her row at once and I was like, whoa, that's like a lot.
00:28Advocates gathered in Brisbane today are also calling for change.
00:32They welcomed the recent appointment of a national commissioner for Indigenous children and hope they'll address the high rates of kids in care and youth detention.
00:40But they want legislation which gives the commissioner real powers to close the gap.
00:45It is time for the Prime Minister to step up and be bold and brave in his promise that he made to us and that is for a fully legislated, a fully empowered, fully funded commissioner.
00:56Sue Ann Hunter started her five-year term as national commissioner last month.
01:01She wants the government to grant her powers to conduct inquiries and make recommendations while remaining at arm's length.
01:08You can't have accountability without and be able to do systemic inquiries if you actually don't have those powers to be able to do it.
01:15The Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, told the ABC that the government is committed to legislating strong powers for the commissioner but did not say when they be brought in.
01:25Calls to put communities in control and a bright future for First Nations kids.
Be the first to comment