Page 1866 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 22 June 2021
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number prompt minor adjustments to internal work practices or suggest consideration of issues in the context of strategic planning that is already underway at the commission and the Public Trustee and Guardian. A handful of recommendations warrant engagement between the government and the commission or Public Trustee and Guardian, and this consultation is already underway. This speaks to the collegiate and effective working relationship between the Justice and Community Safety Directorate for commission and the Public Trustee and Guardian.
Minor legislative changes have been recommended to the Public Trustee and Guardian Act 1985 to enable the delegation of decision-making guardians to financial managers. The report found that such an amendment would be consistent with other jurisdictions, would expedite decision-making and would reduce vulnerabilities associated with key senior staff being unavailable.
The review also considered the recommendation of the Our Booris, Our Way review that the ACT establish and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s commissioner. The concept of the commissioner role was included in the review’s terms of reference so it could be properly considered in the context of other protection of rights agencies. The review confirmed the strong community support for the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s commissioner and considered that this role would complement the work of the other commissioners.
The government is committed to establishing this new role and welcomes the review’s recommendations in this respect. These recommendations will inform the co-design process that is underway. We hear the urgency from the community calling for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s commissioner. We want to deliver this new role with the full trust and support of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. We recognise that hearing from the community through a genuine co-design process will be key.
The government therefore agrees or agrees in principle with all the review’s recommendations. Where the government agrees in principle to the recommendations relating to the establishment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s commissioner, this is purely to ensure we do not pre-empt the conclusions of the co-design process.
I am pleased the current arrangements of the Human Rights Commission and the Public Trustee and Guardian are serving the Canberra community. This government continues to value the experience, expertise and exceptional work of each office holder and all their staff. I take this opportunity to thank them for their ongoing commitment to the protection of human rights of all Canberrans. I thank each of our stakeholders and community organisations who contributed their time and their input to the review. They are also an indispensable part of Canberra’s rights protection system. As Minister for Human Rights, I look forward to continuing my relationship, whether well-established or emerging, with all of you.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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