The Commissioner
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The Commissioner
The Commissioner is the independent person who works closely with children and young people, their families, community and government to make Western Australia a better place for children and young people aged 0 to 17 years.
Jacqueline McGowan-Jones began her appointment as Commissioner for Children and Young People in January 2022.
Jacqueline is passionate about the future for our children and young people and believes the role of Commissioner brings high expectations from our young people so they have a strong voice to advocate their views across government.
She has a long history working in education, child protection and Indigenous affairs. Jacqueline was most recently the CEO of Thirrili, an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation delivering critical supports and services to families following a loss to suicide or other fatal traumatic incident.
Jacqueline's experience includes senior executive roles across the public (Commonwealth, Victorian and Western Australian), private and NGO sectors. She has strong connections throughout Western Australia and has worked in the Departments of Education, Aboriginal Affairs, Premier and Cabinet and Child Protection & Family Support.
Her involvement across these portfolios, and in roles in Disability and Indigenous Law & Justice in the Commonwealth, has given her the opportunity to work with children, young people, families and communities across Western Australia and understand the challenges they face.
She has lived in Geraldton, Broome and Perth and has developed very strong relationships across the community, and the non-government and government sectors.
While in the role of Executive Director, Office of Aboriginal Education, Jacqueline led the development and implementation of the Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework for Culturally Responsive Schools. She has previously contributed to the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People through membership of the Youth Justice Reference Group.
Jacqueline is committed to strengthening the systems that improve the opportunities available to all children and young people. Her experience and heritage (cultural connections to Arrernte and Warumungu country in the Northern Territory) has given her a strong focus on the interests and needs of Aboriginal children and young people, as well those from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds.
She believes that all young people have a right to be heard and she strives to bring a new level of understanding and engagement to issues impacting our children and young people.
Previous Commissioners
- Commissioner Dr Colin Pettit - November 2015 to January 2022
- Acting Commissioner Jenni Perkins – December 2013 to November 2015
- Commissioner Michelle Scott – December 2007 to December 2013
The Commissioner's role and functions
The position was created because the Western Australian Parliament made a commitment to the children and young people of WA that they would live in a state where they were heard, valued, healthy and safe.
The WA Parliament passed the Commissioner for Children and Young People Act in 2006.
A joint standing committee provides an oversight role for the WA Parliament.
The Commissioner undertakes projects, commissions research, publishes reports, and hosts events to highlight specific aspects of children and young people’s wellbeing. Using research and the other evidence available, the Commissioner seeks to positively influence legislation, policy, services and attitudes.
The office meets regularly with key decision makers and advises on legislation and policy through submissions and issues papers and speaks directly to government and the broader community.
In particular, the key functions of the office include:
- advocating for all children and young people
- monitoring laws, policies and practices that affect the wellbeing of children and young people
- promoting and valuing the voice of children and young people and the positive contributions they make to our society
- consulting with children and young people, parents, families and government and non-government organisations
- researching the latest trends and information that relate to children and young people
- inquiring on behalf of children and young people about issues relating to their wellbeing.
The Commissioner’s work has regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and acting on the principle that parents, families and communities have the primary role in safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of their children and young people and should be supported in carrying out their role.
Commitment to the safety of children and young people
Children and young people are entitled to live in a caring and nurturing environment and to be protected from harm and exploitation. Children and young people should be safe, feel safe and be respected wherever they are. The Commissioner for Children and Young People prioritises the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in all work of the office and in our work with other organisations.