Child removal in Australia: Violating the CRC

This webinar is the eleventh in a series which is developing greater knowledge and understanding of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern at the increase in child removals in Australia and the inconsistent criteria for removals across different state/territory jurisdictions. It highlighted the disproportionate rate of removals of children from First Nations’ families and made a number of recommendations on these concerns. These concerns have been raised by an increasing number of organisations and individuals in Australia.

This webinar will look at this issue from the perspective of Elizabeth Morgan House (EMH) in Victoria, a frontline service provider responding to the failure of governments to apply a child rights-based approach, and the harmful consequences for First Nations children and families. It will challenge the misuse of the “best interests of the child” and “welfare” principles in existing policy approaches.

In drawing on the experiences of EMH and developing understanding of CRC’s definition of “best-interests of the child”, the webinar will emphasise how the CRC demands changes in current approaches. It will emphasise the need for Australian governments to implement the CRC Committee’s recommendations and properly fund solutions led by the Aboriginal community-controlled child and family organisations.

NOTE: At least half an hour will be allocated for questions and answers, and comments

Speakers

Kellyanne Andy, CEO Elizabeth Morgan House. Kellyanne is a proud strong Yorta Yorta woman from Cummeragunja – an Aboriginal village on the Murray River and a descendant of the Walker family group. Kellyanne worked in Aboriginal early childhood in the local Aboriginal childcare and primary schools before moving to EMH. She has worked in the Family Violence sector for 20 years.


Monica Morgan, Board member, Elizabeth Morgan House and CEO, Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation. Monica lives on her homeland community of Cummeragunja in Yorta Yorta Country. Monica was Manager of Amnesty International Australian Indigenous Campaigns (2009 -2014) highlighting the racist Northern Territory Intervention policies and supporting First Nations communities in gaining voice to lobby for adequate housing and infrastructure on their Homelands on their traditional country.

Moderators

Dr Noam Peleg, Senior Lecturer UNSW, Book Review Editor, The International Journal of Children’s Rights.


Dr Faith Gordon, Senior Lecturer ANU, Director of the International Youth Justice Network.