Many children in Australia are able to fully enjoy their human rights. However, the rights of some children are vulnerable.

An independent national Children’s Commissioner with the power and mandate to listen to, understand and advocate for children could play an important role in promoting and protecting the rights of all children in Australia, particularly of those who are most at-risk.

In particular, a national Children’s Commissioner could operate as a national advocate for children’s rights; ensure that government decision making processes and outcomes are consistent with the best interests of children; develop mechanisms to secure the participation of children in decisions that affect them; and provide a coordinated national approach to children’s rights.

Human rights provide a clear framework for promoting, and for ensuring accountability in respect of, child wellbeing. By establishing the office of a national Children’s Commissioner, the Australian Government would take an important step towards meeting its international obligations to protect and promote the rights of children in Australia.