Our submission highlighted issues with how the Office was created and its impact on the Advocate for Children and Young People.
The JEC has made a submission to the Committee on Children and Young People’s Inquiry into the impact of the new Office for Youth on the functioning and independence of the Advocate for Children and Young People.
Our submission raised concerns that the Office for Youth was established without transparency and or consultation with peak Aboriginal bodies AbSec and the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) (ALS). This is despite the significant over-representation of Aboriginal children in the criminal legal system and child protection system.
We drew attention to the potential impact of the Office on the independence of the Advocate for Children and Young People. We also asked how the new Office intends to engage directly with Aboriginal children and young people to address persistent disparities and ‘close the gap’.
The JEC submission ensured that the voices of AbSec and the ALS were heard in the Inquiry process.
