In late 2009 the Children’s Protection Amendment Bill passed both Houses of Parliament. Most of the attention leading up to this had understandably been on the extension of child safety practices to a wider range of organisations.
In one relatively small part of the amendment bill something important to children in care passed into law, that is that there will be a Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in Care. The Charter has served us well in promoting rights and raising awareness of needs but it has not, until now, been required by law.
Mentored and led by experienced Youth Parliamentarian David Wilkins, they sat up late into the night preparing their arguments. They presented their Bill to the two Houses of Youth Parliament and won overwhelming support for it. They met with the Minister to argue their case. And just three years on they have made history.
Thank you David Wilkins, Mellita Kimber, Bryston Scarsbrook, Jessica Parker, Nathanael Jefferies, Casey Sheppard, Ed King and Bianca North. You have done good.
