The North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS) wholeheartedly congratulates the Commonwealth Government on its announcement that a national commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people has been established and will be operational early next year.
NAAFLS looks forward to engaging with the new commission and commissioner next year.
“This is a significant step forward in promoting and advocating for the voices and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people, particularly in out-of-home care,” says NAAFLS CEO Cindy Torrens.
“Every day, our legal and non-legal teams champion and advocate for the interests of children and their families in child protection and Family Court proceedings.
“One of our key programs is focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families in contact with the child protection system in the Northern Territory.
“NAAFLS is currently in the development phase of its Child Protection Notification and Referral Program.
“Aimed at early intervention, the project is currently in consultation with the sector and community to identify opportunities to support families earlier to reduce the number of children in out-of-home care in the Northern Territory.
“We look forward to an opportunity in the coming year to engage with the new commission to provide support in the Northern Territory to the shared goals we have to protect and advocate for the interests of Aboriginal children, young people and families.”
ENDS
To read the Commonwealth Government announcement, you can read it here
