15 July 2013
COMMISSIONER FOR ABORIGINAL KIDS ANNOUNCED
Andrew Jackomos has been formally announced as Victoria’s inaugural Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People.
This appointment delivers a key recommendation from the Cummins Inquiry into Victoria’s child protection system, which identified ‘unacceptably high’ numbers of Aboriginal children in statutory child protection services and out-of-home care. One in six Victorian children entering out-of-home care is Aboriginal.
The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare – the peak body for Victoria’s child and family sector – has welcomed the announcement of Mr Jackomos.
The Centre’s CEO Deb Tsorbaris said that “the appointment of Mr Jackomos to this position is a significant step towards a better future for Victoria’s Aboriginal children and young people”.
Deb highlighted the role Mr Jackamos played in establishing Victoria’s Koori court system as a clear example of his connection to the needs of indigenous children, and looks forward to “achieving real improvements to the lives and long-term prospects of a particularly vulnerable group of children”.
Victoria is the only Australian state to have a dedicated Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People. This appointment will further enhance the work already being undertaken by Victoria’s Commission for Children and Young People, which has operated independently of government since March this year.
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