The federal government has introduced legislation to make the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People a permanent independent statutory agency – backed by $33.5 million over four years.
The National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026 was introduced to Parliament on Tuesday 10 February by Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek. The bill gives the commissioner power to investigate systemic issues, make recommendations to government, conduct public advocacy, and compel information.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are more than 10 times as likely to be in out-of-home care compared to non-Indigenous children and 27 times as likely to be in youth detention. One in three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children face developmental difficulty.
Ms Plibersek said every child deserves the chance to grow up connected to their family, community, culture and Country.
“The system is failing too many children. We need to turn that around” Ms Plibersek said.
National Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter – a Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman who became the first full-time commissioner last year – described the legislation as the result of tireless advocacy.
“Being able to have the enhanced powers to investigate systemic issues and compel information signals to our children and families that this isn’t a temporary measure” Commissioner Hunter said. “It says to Australia, it’s serious about accountability and systemic change.”
Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC – National Voice for our Children said legislating the role marked a significant milestone. She described the commissioner as a true accountability mechanism to ensure governments follow through on their commitments to First Nations children and families.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said the role is critical to safeguarding the rights of Indigenous children. An additional $8.4 million annually will be provided on an ongoing basis to maintain the commission’s work.
If passed the commission will become a permanent independent organisation from 1 July 2026.
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