- The session took place on February 5, 2026, focusing prominently on Indigenous Affairs. The Hon. Milton Dick opened the session with an acknowledgment of country (Page 0).
- National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026: Introduced by Ms. Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Social Services. Ms. Plibersek highlighted the bill’s purpose to establish an independent statutory agency aimed at improving the lives of Indigenous children and young people. She noted the historical context for this reform, citing the SNAICC report from 1991, and acknowledged contributions from various Aboriginal leaders and young people regarding their needs (Page 1).
- The objectives of the proposed national commissioner include:
- Identifying issues faced by Indigenous children.
- Direct engagement with Indigenous youth.
- Promoting awareness of their rights.
- Advising the government on relevant policies (Page 1).
- Ms. Plibersek addressed ongoing challenges with the Closing the Gap targets, emphasizing the need for systemic accountability and reinforcing that the bill aims to amplify the voices of Indigenous children in decision-making processes that affect their lives (Page 1).
- A companion bill, the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026, was also introduced (Page 3).
- The discussions surrounding these bills align with the broader effort to address systemic issues and support the well-being of Indigenous communities in various sectors, including education, health, and social services.
- Patrick Gorman (MP for Perth) condemned a violent incident targeting First Nations supporters during a peaceful gathering, describing it as an alleged act of terrorism. He expressed solidarity with the impacted Indigenous communities while acknowledging the effectiveness of law enforcement during the incident (Page 70).
- Ms. Plibersek later reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing domestic violence, placing particular emphasis on better resources and targeted support for vulnerable groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (Page 114).
- The session concluded with a series of reflections on the ongoing challenges facing Indigenous Australians, punctuating the importance of legislative measures aimed at fostering equity and inclusivity within government policies (Page 114).
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