MELBOURNE, 15 April 2022: Aboriginal lawyer Meena Singh, former Legal Director, Human Rights Law Centre has been appointed as Victoria’s third Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People. As the daughter of her Yorta Yorta mother and her Fijian-born Indian father, Meena grew up valuing cultural heritage, something her mother in particular was very strong on from an early age.
In a Tweet in January this year, she wrote, One day, the people with lived experience will make the rules, not those detached from reality. One day, our scars will be our medals of honour, celebrated in parades.
Commissioner Singh, brings a wealth of skills and experience to this critical role – including as a Victoria Legal Aid lawyer representing children and young people in child protection and youth justice, together with multiple roles of key relevance to the Commission’s work, including with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, Human Rights Law Centre, and Aboriginal family violence support service, Djirra.
Complementing Commissioner Singh’s extensive legal experience with marginalised Aboriginal people are deep connections with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and involvement in prominent strategic advocacy campaigns, including raising the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14.
‘Commissioner Singh’s appointment comes at a pivotal time in advocacy and reform to address the persisting injustices impacting Aboriginal children and young people in Victoria, and indeed nationally,’ said Liana Buchanan, Victoria’s Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People.
‘As Victoria works towards a Treaty, and with the Yoo-rrook Truth and Justice Commission now underway, Commissioner Singh will have a critical role in contributing to these historic currents of reform through our continuing work to address the over-representation of Aboriginal children and young people in child protection and youth justice and to uphold their right to cultural recognition and safety.
‘Commissioner Singh’s exceptional skills and experience – including in policy, strategic advocacy, and law reform – position her to build on the excellent work of Andrew Jackomos PSM, and Justin Mohamed, her predecessors as Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People in Victoria,’ Commissioner Buchanan said.
‘We welcome Commissioner Singh to this important role, and I look forward to working with her,’ Commissioner Buchanan concluded.
Meena Singh will commence as Victoria’s third Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People on 26 April.
