Today, the Senate voted to deliver meaningful change to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people by passing the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026 (the Bill).
By passing this Bill, the Australian Parliament has voted to enshrine an independent National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (the National Commission) with the powers needed to drive systemic change to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Sue-Anne Hunter, said the passing of this legislation is a milestone moment.
“The National Commission exists for the sole purpose of protecting and promoting the rights, interests and wellbeing of First Nations children and young people across the nation.,” said National Commissioner Hunter.
“As a fully independent agency, we will advocate for change that puts the interests of children ahead of political agendas.”
Under its legislation, the National Commission operates independently of the Federal Government to ensure it can hold government and systems to account for the ongoing failures that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
“With this legislation passed, we have an opportunity to improve the lives of Australia’s most vulnerable children and address systemic failures that have harmed generations of our people.”
“We will drive greater accountability across government by conducting inquiries, undertaking research and making recommendations that must be tabled in Parliament.”
The legislation ensures the National Commission's work is consistent with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures as well as principles set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Australia’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other relevant international instruments.
National Commissioner Hunter said this is critical to delivering culturally safe solutions.
“Human rights are not an abstract ideal – they are the backbone of solutions that work. We will not allow our children to keep paying the price for Australia’s lack of a unified approach to human rights.”
The National Commission will uphold the principle of self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people and work in partnership with children, communities, State counterparts and the Federal Government.
“The job ahead is significant. We will work tirelessly to achieve systemic change that ensures our children are safe, strong and able to thrive,” said National Commissioner Hunter.
For more information on the National Commission, visit https://www.ncatsicyp.gov.au/