This year’s Family Matters report is the first to be published following the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which was entered into in July 2020. This report focuses on what actions need to be taken to address the over-representation and the outcomes of First Nations children in out-of-home care.

This paper identifies a number of challenges and recommendations to the establishment of a National Commissioner for First Nations children and young people.

Professor Mick Dodson is a Yawuru man from the southern Kimberley region of WA, Professor of Law at the Australian National University (ANU) College of Law, and the former Director of the National Centre for Indigenous Studies.

Adjunct Professor Muriel Bamblett AO is a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman, one of Australia’s leading experts on Aboriginal child welfare, has been CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency since 1999, and is the Chair of SNAICC – National Voice for our Children.

Toni Janke is a Wuthathi/Meriam woman from Cape York and Murray Island in the Torres Strait. Toni is Coordinator, Indigenous Services at Centacare Family and Relationship Services in Brisbane, and represents Queensland in the Family Matters Aboriginal Leadership Group.