National Children’s Commissioner a win for Australian children

UnitingCare Australia said the appointment of the first National Children’s Commissioner was a significant step towards a brighter future for some of Australia’s most vulnerable children.

National Director Lin Hatfield Dodds congratulated the Gillard Government and former Attorney General Nicola Roxon on the appointment of well-known advocate, Megan Mitchell to this historic role.

“The appointment will give a stronger voice to all young people, but particularly to the most vulnerable and promises to raise the profile of the rights and well-being of children and young people in Australia,” Ms Hatfield Dodds said.

“This national role has the opportunity to drive systemic reform and build relationships to ensure a consistent approach to issues affecting children and young people.

“This appointment is a welcome culmination of a significant period of consultation and decades of advocacy led by the non-government sector.”

Ms Hatfield Dodds said, “UnitingCare Australia will work closely with the Commissioner and her commission, offering the experience and wisdom of a network that has worked with children and families for over a hundred years.”