WIRADJURI woman Barbara Causon has been appointed to the role of advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, while a commissioner role is established.

Work is progressing to establish the ACT’s first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner, as part of the government’s commitment to implement recommendations from the Our Booris, Our Way report.

Causon – a senior public servant and former chair of the previous Our Booris Our Way Steering Committee – will serve as interim advocate until legislation to establish a commissioner’s role is passed.

“The commissioner role will help reduce the number of our children entering the system, improve the experience of our children who are in out of home care and restore children to their families wherever possible,” said Causon.

The Our Booris, Our Way Report recommended a commissioner be established to address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the child protection system, and ensure their needs are better met.