Adjunct Professor Sue-Anne Hunter, a Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman, has been appointed as Australia’s inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People’s Commissioner. In just a few months’ time, she will assume her new post officially. She takes over for Lil Gordon, who has been serving in an acting capacity since January. Professor Hunter has more than 20 years of professional experience in child and family services. She leaves a remarkable legacy behind, but she’ll bring even more knowledge and insight to the new position.
This appointment could not be more timely given that outcomes for Indigenous children in Canada are deteriorating. Nationally, only four of the 19 targets agreed upon in the Closing the Gap national partnership are on track. The deadline of 2031 looms large on the horizon. Target 12 – Keeping with family, culture and country Target 12 seeks to eliminate the over-representation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. This backsliding is causing alarm among advocates and policy makers.
Background and Experience
As a researcher and former practitioner, Professor Hunter brings a wealth of experience from both the frontline and senior leadership within the child welfare field. Previously she has held leadership positions within the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency. Further, she served on the board of SNAICC — National Voice for Our Children. These positions have provided her with the unique opportunity to receive guidance straight from Indigenous communities. She hopes to use this knowledge to advocate for the rights and overall well-being of Indigenous young people.
As she takes on this new role, Professor Hunter will focus on elevating the voices of Indigenous youth. She’s done a good job stating her intention to make sure their concerns are at the heart of the work she does.
“This role will elevate their voices and their concerns. They will be at the centre of everything I do.” – Adjunct Professor Sue-Anne Hunter
The Urgency of the Role
The realities behind these statistics for Indigenous children in Australia is nothing less than tragic. This week, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy spoke on the record about the unacceptable figures of First Nations children in out-of-home care, and youth detention. She urged the need for all of us to work together to dot these alarming numbers.
“The number of First Nations children in out-of-home care and youth detention is deeply distressing and will take a collective effort to turn the figures around,” – Senator McCarthy
Hunter is acutely aware of the urgency of her new role, reiterating that the stakes are steepest for Indigenous youth.
“I recognize that we are at risk of losing another generation to systems that fail them, to removal, out-of-home care detention and a bleak future,” – Adjunct Professor Sue-Anne Hunter
It’s clear from the way she steps into this role that her heart and passion are firmly rooted in advocating for the rights of Indigenous children.
“I am honoured to accept this appointment as Australia’s Inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People’s Commissioner with the responsibility to ensure our systems are working to protect the wellbeing, rights and interests of children and young people,” – Adjunct Professor Sue-Anne Hunter
A Commitment to Change
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has enthusiastically embraced this goal. She argues that establishing this Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander commissioner position will help raise the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The hope is that under Professor Hunter’s leadership, there will be a renewed focus on addressing the disparities faced by Indigenous youth.
“We created this commissioner role to ensure the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are not just heard, but are amplified,” – Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek
As the second appointee, Professor Hunter is preparing to step into her new role. We’re all looking forward to seeing those changes become a reality where it counts—in the lives of Indigenous children. Her experience will be essential in tackling implementation challenges in the Closing the Gap agreement. Moreover, her passion for advocacy will ensure real change occurs on the ground.
