Children’s Rights Report 2019 - Parramatta Launch and Consultation

Megan Mitchell, Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission (term ends 24 March 2020) will launch in Parramatta the Children’s Rights Report 2019 — In Their Own Right. The launch will include a community consultation on child rights in Australia and empowering the voice of youth.

Light refreshments will be served after the Q&A.

The Report

The Children’s Rights Report 2019 — In Their Own Right tells the story of how well children’s rights are protected and promoted across Australia.

It covers all the basic rights that children need to do well, like having a home and a family, getting a good education, being able to access quality health care, being safe from harm, and having a voice.

While most children in Australia live in safe, healthy environments and do well, there are some groups of children whose rights are not adequately protected, which impacts negatively on their well being and ability to thrive.This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children with disability, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) children.In Their Own Right is intended to help hold Australian governments to account for the well being of our children, now and into the future. It makes recommendations to improve child well being in Australia and honour our obligations to Australian children under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.It is the final report of Megan Mitchell, Australia’s inaugural National Children’s Commissioner. It covers the work she has undertaken since beginning her term in 2013.

Megan Mitchell

National Children’s Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission

Megan Mitchell was Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, appointed in 2013. Her term ends on 24 March 2020.

Megan has previous experience in both government and non-government roles in child protection, out-of-home care, youth justice, disability, and early childhood services. Megan also holds qualifications in social policy, psychology and education.

In her role as Commissioner, Megan focused solely on the rights and interests of children, and the laws, policies and programs that impact on them.

During her term, Megan presented six statutory reports to federal Parliament on the state of children’s rights in Australia. Megan focused on the prevalence of suicide and intentional self-harm in children and young people, the impact of family and domestic violence on children and young people, the oversight of children and young people in correctional detention, and the experiences and trajectories of young parents and their children. Her final report in her term, In Their Own Right: Children’s Rights in Australia, is a culmination of 7 years of work, focusing on the rights and needs of children. It is a comprehensive snapshot of child well being and an assessment of Australia’s progress in meeting its commitment under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It was produced as part of the process of Australia’s recent appearance before the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. This milestone report will serve as a critical benchmark to measure our progress into the future.