Are you listening to us? The Case for a Victorian Children and Young People's Commission

Published by the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria Inc June 2001

Contents

Executive Summary

• The proposal for a Children and Young People’s Commission
• The role of a Children and Young People’s Commission
• The impact of a Children and Young People’s Commission
• The principles that underpin a Children and Young People’s Commission
• Functions and responsibilities of a Children and Young People’s Commission
• Location and accountability of a Children and Young People’s Commission
• Future developments
• Contact

About the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria Inc

The purpose and structure of the discussion paper

Part 1: An overview

• Advancing the rights of children and young people
• Advancing the Government’s vision
• Why Victoria needs a Children and Young People ’s Commission
• Advancing the rights of children and young people
• Advancing the Government’s vision
• The impact of a Children and Young People’s Commission
• The role of existing monitoring and complaint-handling bodies in Victoria
• The role of the family
• Australian and international models
• Australian models
• International models
• Characteristics of effective commissions

Part 2: Towards a Victorian model

Principles that underpin a Children and Young People ’s Commission

• Independent
• Statutory powers
• A focus on children and young people up to the age of 18
• Adequate resources
• A broad perspective
• Accessibility

• Involve and engage young people
• Perform an advocacy role
• Review existing and proposed legislation
• Monitor policies and practices
• Initiate and conduct inquiries
• Report and make recommendations to Parliament
• Provide information and referral
• Research relevant specific issues
• Promote public education programs
• Promote models of children and young people’s participation
• Apply for standing before the court in special selected cases involving the rights of children and young people
• Form partnerships with other statutory bodies
• Should the Commission receive and handle individual complaints?

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