In late 2024, the draft Commission for Children and Young People Bill 2024 was released for public consultation. The draft Bill sets out to establish a Commission for Children and Young People that will act as a strong and fearless advocate for children’s rights and monitor child-safe practices in organisations.
Over 12 weeks and 14 targeted engagement sessions, multiple people and organisations provided their time, feedback and experience to shape the final Bill and the vital role the Commission for Children and Young People will play. We thank them for their courage and commitment and appreciate the open and frank discussions had about this important legislation.
While the feedback is still being reviewed and considered as the Bill develops, the Tasmanian Government has created the ‘What We Heard Report’, which summarises the key themes and insights from the targeted consultation sessions held with children and young people, victim-survivors, Tasmanian Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and people, and foster and kinship carers. You can read the What We Heard Report here.
On 13 March 2025, the Interim Commissioner for Children and Young People (CCYP) also released the report, “Letting them have a say”: Children and Young People’s views on the proposed new Commission for Children and Young People. The report outlines the views and ideas expressed by close to 700 children and young people on the new Commission. You can read the report here.
Establishing a statutory Commission for Children and Young People is a recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry and a commitment of the Tasmanian Government.