ACT's First Nations Children's Commissioner Resigns Amid Community Concerns
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, the inaugural Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People in the Australian Capital Territory, has resigned from her position less than two years into a five-year term. The resignation follows an extended period of approved leave and mounting complaints from senior members of Canberra's First Nations community regarding alleged persistent absenteeism.
Community Complaints and Staff Turnover
In early 2025, community leaders penned a letter to ACT ministers and the attorney-general expressing growing disquiet about the commissioner's effectiveness. Signatories, including a Ngunnawal elder and chief executives of community-controlled organisations, demanded an investigation into the office. They raised specific concerns about Ms Turnbull-Roberts's part-time presence in Canberra, her cancellation of a NAIDOC event appearance at Bimberi centre to allegedly attend a corporate speaking event in Victoria, and her lack of contribution during a parliamentary inquiry.
The letter also highlighted that community members found the commissioner difficult to access, describing her as invisible. It further noted that a First Nations youth advisory body appeared stalled in the application phase according to the commissioner's office website. A follow-up letter in September 2025 alleged Ms Turnbull-Roberts had not been seen in the community since July and had not intervened in any Children's Court matters since assuming the role.
Government Response and Acting Appointment
An ACT government spokesman confirmed Ms Turnbull-Roberts had resigned and had been on approved extended leave since July 2025. Regarding staff departures, the spokesman acknowledged some employee turnover since the office's establishment but declined to provide further details, citing privacy concerns for the small team.
Barbara Causon was appointed as acting commissioner on October 9, 2025. Ms Causon, previously part of the Our Booris Our Way committee and the Advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, now oversees the role pending a permanent appointment.
Commissioner's Defence and Role Significance
When approached for comment in September last year, Ms Turnbull-Roberts stated it would be unprofessional to publicly discuss staffing matters. She expressed pride in the work achieved during her tenure, including advocacy in child protection and criminal justice, and ensuring children in custody had their voices heard. She also emphasised the importance of finding a secure physical space for the commissioner's office to enhance accessibility.
The commissioner position was created as an independent statutory role following recommendations from the Our Booris, Our Way report, aimed at reducing First Nations overrepresentation in the ACT's child protection system. Advertised as a full-time role in Canberra with a yearly salary of $238,765, it holds significant powers to intervene on behalf of vulnerable children.
Prior to Ms Causon's appointment, signatory Julie Tongs voiced concerns that children and families had suffered without full-time representation, underscoring the critical nature of the commissioner's intervention capabilities.
