The Family Matters campaign is seeking a new Co Chair – key national advocacy role with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people (unpaid role)  

Family Matters, the campaign to end the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection and out-of-home care, is seeking a new Co Chair, after long-standing Co Chair Natalie Lewis resigned in May to take up a new role as Queensland Family and Child Commissioner. 

The Family Matters campaign is led by two Co Chairs, one of whom is Richard Weston, CEO of SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children, and a National Leadership Group of senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners and advisors in child and family services from across the continent. 

Under the Family Matters Terms of Reference, one of the Co Chairs must identify as a woman and all members of the Leadership Group must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. 

The role is unpaid and the term is for review after two years. 

The role is advertised for a senior Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander woman leader with leadership and/or extensive public advocacy experience in the field of children’s and family services.  Women with lived experience of the child protection system are encouraged to apply. 

Duties include:

Acting as a public spokesperson for the Family Matters campaign in public events, media and in political liaison at the federal level.

Chairing Leadership Group and Strategic Alliance meetings.

Oversight of the day-to-day management of the Family Matters campaign, in liaison with the National Campaign Manager and SNAICC Family Matters Secretariat.

Timeline for recruitment:

The selection panel is appointed from the Family Matters National Leadership Group. 

Shortlisting will occur from Friday 7th – Thursday 13th August.