Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia (Gayaa Dhuwi) welcomes the appointment of proud Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman Adjunct Professor Sue-Anne Hunter as the inaugural National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People. Her appointment is a critical step forward, coming at a time when national data reveals an urgent need for change, with outcomes for child removal and youth detention not yet improving.

The Productivity Commission’s latest Annual Data Compilation Report confirms that Australia is not yet on track to meet its commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care (Target 12) has worsened, increasing to 50.3 per 1,000 children in 2024. Meanwhile, there has been no reduction in the rate of young people in detention (Target 11).

These statistics highlight misaligned systems across health, housing, disability, and education that continue to push children towards justice pathways instead of supporting family and cultural strength. When these systems fail to provide care, the justice system responds with punishment, pulling our children further from the family, culture, and community connections that are essential for their social and emotional wellbeing.

Professor Helen Milroy AM, Chair of Gayaa Dhuwi, said the Commissioner’s appointment is an opportunity to recentre our children’s social and emotional wellbeing as a national priority.

“We welcome Professor Hunter’s extensive experience and deep commitment to our children. Her leadership comes at a crucial moment. The early years of a child’s life are foundational for their lifelong social and emotional wellbeing. When we see rising rates of child removal and detention, we are witnessing the profound and lasting impact on healthy development,” Professor Milroy said.

“Our current systems are failing to intervene safely and effectively to break the cycles of intergenerational trauma and disadvantage. Instead our children are left with increased vulnerability and risk for poor life outcomes. The Commissioner’s role must champion a fundamental shift away from punitive responses and towards holistic, culturally grounded models of care that nurture our children’s development, support their families, and allow them to flourish.”

Ms Rachel Fishlock, CEO of Gayaa Dhuwi, said the new role must be provided the authority to drive genuine accountability.

“Gayaa Dhuwi wholeheartedly welcomes Professor Hunter to this vital role. Having a dedicated national advocate for our children aligns with our need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership at all levels across systems, as enshrined in the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration,” Ms Fishlock said.

“The Commissioner must be a powerful, independent voice with the authority to hold governments and their institutions to account. For too long, the voices of our children and young people have been overlooked by the very systems meant to protect them.

“We look forward to working in close partnership with Professor Hunter to ensure our experiences are at the centre of policy and to drive the urgent, system-wide reforms needed to guarantee every one of our children can grow up safe, healthy, and connected to culture.”

Gayaa Dhuwi calls on all Australian governments to work collaboratively with the new National Commissioner, providing her with the resources and support needed to fulfil her mandate. This appointment must be the start of meaningful, coordinated action to drive positive change so that every child grows up strong in culture, connected to family and supported to thrive.

ENDS

Gayaa Dhuwi reminds the public and media outlets of the importance of responsible and culturally respectful reporting when it comes to issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This includes adhering to the Good Yarn Guidelines and ensuring that crisis support services are promoted effectively.

24/7 crisis helpline services available to the community include:

• 13YARN (13 92 76) – a dedicated support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Brother to Brother crisis line (1800 435 799) – providing support for men
• Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) – for young people in need of support

For further information, and resources, or to access support services, please visit www.gayaadhuwi.org.au

About Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention. As a community-controlled organisation, it is governed and controlled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts and peak bodies, working to promote collective excellence in mental health care.

Media contact: Pamela Hutchinson, Senior Communications Officer, pamela.hutchinson@gayaadhuwi.org.au or 0418 460 642.