Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People

In reply to Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (26 September 2018). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education): The government committed to commencing the recruitment process for the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People within the first 100 days of government.

I received advice that if the position were to be advertised to require applicants to be Aboriginal, an exemption in respect of the discrimination provisions of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 should be sought, which would likely take some six to eight. In light of this, the advertisement was updated to reflect that 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply' rather than requiring that an applicant for the position must be an Aboriginal person.

Ms April Lawrie was the successful applicant following a merit based selection conducted by a committee with significant Aboriginal representation. Ms Lawrie is a proud Mirning woman.