The Interim Commissioner for Children and Young People Isabelle Crompton today released a new report, “Letting them have a say”: Children and Young People’s views on the proposed new Commission for Children and Young People.
In September, the Tasmanian Government released draft legislation outlining how it intends on establishing a new Commission, to stand up for the rights and wellbeing of all children and young people in Tasmania, as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry.
During October and November 2024, and to inform her feedback on this vital reform, the Interim Commissioner invited children and young people to send postcards sharing their views and ideas for how a new Commission should work.
In reply, close to 700 children and young people from across Tasmania expressed their thoughts, hopes, and ideas about their new Commission.
“The rate of return and the depth of insight shared through the postcards confirms, once again, that when asked, Tasmania’s children and young people take up opportunities to share their views about the matters that affect their lives,” Ms Crompton said.
“While I was able to draw on their input in time to inform my feedback on the Government’s draft laws to establish the new Commission, such was the quantity and quality of the views I received, I knew I needed to share them more widely with the Tasmanian community.
“Children and young people had a lot to say about the things that matter to them. Their views are essential, not only for shaping the legislation and design of their new Commission, but also for informing the breadth of other work undertaken by governments on their behalf.
“Through their postcards, which have been carefully analysed, they have told me what matters for children and young people to have a good life in Tasmania, and what the new Commission will need to know about and do to ensure they are well supported to have a good life.”
Ms Crompton said as the Government works to refine and table the legislation to establish the new Commission, she encouraged all Parliamentarians and Tasmanians to read this report.
“By listening, taking seriously and responding to the views and ideas of children and young people, we respect, protect and fulfil their right to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives.”
Sample Postcard Gallery
Here is a small sample of the hundreds of postcards sent to the Interim Commissioner for Children and Young People.
(Clicking each postcard image will open a larger version in a new browser tab.)
