Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network

The Children’s Rights Report 2019 — In Their Own Right tells the story of how well children’s rights are protected and promoted across Australia.It covers all the basic rights that children need to do well, like having a home and a family, getting a good education, being able to access quality health care, being safe from harm, and having a voice. While most children in Australia live in safe, healthy environments and do well, there are some groups of children whose rights are not adequately protected, which impacts negatively on their wellbeing and ability to thrive. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children with disability, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) children.

In Their Own Right is intended to help hold Australian governments to account for the wellbeing of our children, now and into the future. It makes recommendations to improve child wellbeing in Australia and honour our obligations to Australian children under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is the final report of Megan Mitchell, Australia’s inaugural National Children’s Commissioner. It covers the work she has undertaken since beginning her term in 2013.