Australia’s social media ban and listening to the voice of our future generations were some of the key topics discussed between Australian and New Zealand Commissioners and Guardians (ANZCCGA).
Last week, South Australia’s Guardian for Children and Young People, Shona Reid, travelled to Aotearoa New Zealand.
This was the last ANZCCGA meeting for 2024 – and the first meeting of its kind, outside of the Australian shores!
The group meet quarterly (face-to-face and online) to share their jurisdictional work promoting and advocating for the best interests of children and young people.
They also discuss actions they will take over the next few months that align with their key priorities such as Closing the Gap, raising the age of criminal responsibility and advocating for greater investment in supports for vulnerable and impoverished families.
Listening to mokopuna (children and young people)
The group were honoured to be welcomed in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington with a pōwhiri (traditional welcome ceremony) onto Waiwhetū Marae by Te Āti Awa, the local iwi (tribe) of Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington).
Following the pōwhiri, members learnt about the work of iwi (tribes) Te Āti Awa and Ngāti Toa Rangatira alongside whānau (families) and their mokopuna (children and young people).
The mokopuna shared their views on what matters most in their world – and what Children’s Commissioners, Guardians and Advocates should do to support children and young people.
They spoke about the importance of connection to culture and learning language, and how this is a protective factor in their lives.
Their words resonated deeply, particularly at a time when thousands of people across Aotearoa New Zealand have been protesting a proposed bill to reinterpret the 184-year-old founding Te Tiriti o Waitangi – which, if passed, would seriously restrict cultural and self-determination rights for Māori people.
Listening to these words, ANZCCGA members expressed their ongoing commitment to supporting children in both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand to grow up with strong cultural identity, within their own families and communities, and with support to learn and practice their traditions and language.
“It is vital that we hear and listen to children, not matter where they live, about what they need to grow well for their future,” Shona told us.
“Laws made now will affect their generations for decades to come. Those laws should be for their benefit, not work against them.”
During the meeting, Mokopuna also told the group that people of all generations, identities and abilities need to work together for effective advocacy that created inclusive communities.
They stressed to Commissioners, Guardians and Advocates they should recognise the knowledge and solutions that children and young people hold for them to influence positive change for youth across the Tasman in their respective roles.
Cultural sharing and exchange
As part of a cultural exchange, the Australian Commissioners, Guardians and Advocates brought gifts to present to iwi and mokopuna.
Shona took with her Dilly bags made by local business Kaurna and Creative. 
The bags were chosen because they hold a very special place in the care and nurturing of First Nations families.
They were hand woven by Kaurna and Narungga sisters, Kimberly and Cecilia.
The sisters said each weave tells a story of their journey, imperfections and all, and carries the spirit of their ancestors.
“We started this small business in the hopes we would create connections with community through weaving, and to keep our culture alive today, the way our ancestors did before us,” Kimberly and Cecilia said.
“We were beyond excited to gift the Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People these handmade dillybags.
“It’s an honour for us to be able to contribute back to an organisation that supports Aboriginal children and young people in care.”
Joint statement challenging the national social media ban
One of the key topics discussed by the group was the Australian Government’s legislation to ban social media for children under 16 – which passed parliament on Thursday last week.
On Friday, multiple Australian Children’s Commissioners, Guardians and Advocates released a joint statement, calling for children and young people to be included in consultations as the federal government moved to the next stage of implementation.
The statement also raised concerns that the ban will adversely impact marginalised groups of young people such as LGBTQIA+ children and young people, and those living in regional and remote areas – who rely on social media for support, social connection, and learning.
Practical challenges such as effective age verification are yet to be outlined and ANZCCGA members highlighted that methods children and young people can use to bypass restrictions may expose them to greater dangers, if there are no effective safety nets established by the platforms.
“Children and young people have expressed their concerns to us about how these restrictions will affect them and have also offered their thoughts about how to keep them safe online,” NSW advocate for Children and Young People Zoë Robinson said in a statement on behalf of multiple ANZCCGA members.
“We need to acknowledge their solutions and ideas and then respond accordingly.
“By working together, we can help our children stay safe in the digital world and ensure it is an inclusive space that empowers them and supports their development,” she said.
The Guardian’s update to ANZCCGA
Shona’s update to the group included that the office had the highest number of advocacy requests ever in the last financial year.
She spoke about the office’s submission to Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system senate inquiry and South Australia’s Social Workers Registration Scheme consultation regarding the draft definition of social work services and scope of practice.
She shared news about the Children and Young People (Safety and Support) Bill 2024, which was referred to a select committee for further investigation rather than passing a second house of state parliament.
The referral was made closely following a joint letter submitted to the Legislative Council from Shona, alongside South Australia’s Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People April Lawrie and Commissioner for Children and Young People Helen Connolly.
Shona also presented to the group the From Those Who Know report, which collated the voices of children and young people with lived experience of youth detention and their views on raising the age of criminal responsibility.
What’s next?
ANZCCGA’s next meeting will be held in February 2025.
South Australia’s Guardian has busy schedule lined up for the new year to progress advocacy and achieve outcomes on the issues discussed during her Aotearoa New Zealand meeting.
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