The ACT’s new Child and Family Reform Ministerial Advisory Council met today.

The Council advises Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Minister for Families and Community Services, on reforming the child and family system in the ACT, and will oversee the soon to be released Next Steps Action Plan.

“The role of the Council is to provide meaningful guidance on some of the most important and complex services delivered and funded by the ACT Government,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

“Through Next Steps for Our Kids 2022-2030, the ACT strategy for strengthening families and keeping children and young people safe, we are embarking on an ambitious reform agenda in how children and their families are supported.

“The expertise of our community sector partners, policy experts, advocates and people with lived experience are crucial to this work. I particularly want to thank the young people, parents and carers who have joined the Council to ensure reform is informed by their real world experience.”

The Council’s chair, Amanda Tobler, said: “I am honoured and excited to be appointed the council’s first Chair, and I look forward to working with the amazing council members and Minister Stephen-Smith. 

“I am excited that the council will provide strategic oversight mechanisms for child and family services reform in the ACT. The council will guide and champion strategic planning, to achieve continuous improvement and outcomes in the lives of children, young people, and families.

“The council consists of 16 amazing Canberrans who come with different areas of expertise and backgrounds and include first nations people and people with lived experience. This depth in knowledge and experience will help guide and shape the advice we provide.”

The other members of the Council are:

• Shannon Pickles (Deputy Chair)
• Dr Justin Barker
• Mayme Clarke
• Dea Delaney-Thiele
• Dr Vik Fraser
• Tracey Hall
• Taylor Licciardello
• Prof Morag McArthur
• Dr Robyn Miller
• Zakia Patel
• Jennifer Rowsell
• Dr Joe Tucci
• Selina Walker
• Valerie Wandin-Gillies
• LewChing Yip

Serving as ex officio members are:

• Public Advocate and Children and Young People Commissioner – Jodie Griffiths-Cook
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Advocate – Barbara Causon