Natalie Lewis congratulated on her appointment as Commissioner for the QFCC

SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children has congratulated Natalie Lewis on her appointment as Commissioner for the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC), where her role will have a focus on providing critical oversight of the systemic and structural issues disproportionately affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland.

Her role, SNAICC said, aligns strongly with SNAICC’s advocacy over the years for the appointment of commissioners for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in every state, territory and nationally.

Ms Lewis is a proud Gamilaraay (Kamilaroi) yinar woman with more than two decades of experience working in youth justice and child and family services, and is a passionate advocate for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

As CEO of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP), her leadership “has led to significant reform in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child protection and family services sectors,” SNAICC noted.

Her long-term commitment and dedication to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in her position on the SNAICC Board for more than eight years and as Chair and Co-Chair of the Family Matters campaign was recognised in the statement from SNAICC. 

In addition, the advocacy body said, “Natalie has been instrumental in championing the five elements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle in Queensland’s child protection system and ushering in reforms that have increased the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, communities and organisations in child protection decision making and practice.”

SNAICC CEO and Family Matters Co-Chair Richard Weston said her advocacy efforts at a national level have been tireless, campaigning for national reform through the Family Matters campaign, and that while SNAICC will miss working with Ms Lewis, they wished her all the best in her new role, looking forward to continuing to work together to improve outcomes for children. 

SNAICC Chair Muriel Bamblett said Ms Lewis’ deep commitment “to keeping our children’s best interests at the forefront of government policy to ensure our children are safe and connected to culture and kin” would be welcomed in the role, congratulating the Queensland Government on this appointment.  

“On behalf of SNAICC, we thank Natalie for her hard work, passion and dedication to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Whilst she will be sorely missed, we know the criticality of this role in upholding the rights of our children, and therefore wish her every success,” Ms Bamblett added. 

As Commissioner, Ms Lewis will support the Principal Commissioner Cheryl Vardon with a strong focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

To read the full statement from SNAICC, please see here.