Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy. I'm sure that everyone in this chamber can agree that the rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in out-of-home care are clearly unacceptable. First Nations children are 11 times more likely to be in out-of-home care compared to non-Indigenous children. Can the minister outline what steps are being taken to reverse these statistics for our children?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Stewart for her question. The Albanese Labor government is committed to achieving better outcomes for First Nations children, young people and their families. We committed to a national commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, and we are delivering on that commitment. The overrepresentation of First Nations children in out-of-home care continues to trend upwards. Closing the Gap target 12, which aims to reduce the overrepresentation of First Nations children in out-of-home care by 45 per cent by 2031, is not on track. The Productivity Commission found that nationally, as at 30 June 2023, the rate of First Nations children aged zero to 17 years in out-of-home care was worsening. The national commissioner will be dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights, interests and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people across a range of issues, including the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart, first supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister for outlining the government's commitments to improving outcomes for First Nations children. Can the minister tell us more about the independent National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People and how the national commissioner will better support outcomes for First Nations children.

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

While many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are doing well, the outcomes for some have just not improved. This role represents a key step forward in the government's commitment to listen to and meaningfully engage with First Nations people, and this is how to promote systemic change. The new national commissioner will complement and not duplicate the role of the National Children's Commissioner. The new national commissioner will provide expert advice on the development and delivery of policies, programs and services to ensure they meet the unique needs of First Nations children and young people, drawing on their work and consultation with community. The national commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people will have a specific focus on protecting and promoting the rights, interests and wellbeing of First Nations children and young people across Australia.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart, second supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister. It is great to hear about the plans for the national commissioner. How have organisations and peaks in the sector, who are the experts here, responded to the government's initiative to establish an independent national commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The role responds to longstanding calls from First Nations stakeholders for stronger accountability for the outcomes experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people—as recently indicated in the Productivity Commission's review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Safe and Supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership group members, along with other First Nations reps, have specifically called for a national commissioner. In particular, SNAICC, the National Voice for our Children, have called the announcement a game changer. The CEO, Catherine Liddle, said:

The National Commissioner will be the champion, the voice and facilitator for our children, young people and families, and who will hold governments to account.

Catherine Liddle goes on to say, 'They will help turn the tide.' I want to thank SNAICC for working with the government on the development of this commission, and I look forward to continuing our productive relationships.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on notice.