Liana Buchanan appointed Commissioner for Children and Young People in Victoria

AN ANTI-violence advocate and legal expert has been appointed as Victoria’s first female Commissioner for Children and Young People.

Anti-violence advocate’s new youth role

AN ANTI-violence advocate and legal expert has been appointed as Victoria’s first female Commissioner for Children and Young People.

Liana Buchanan, currently the executive officer for the Federation of Community Legal Centres and commissioner with the Victorian Law Reform Commission, will take over the reins on April 4.

In her new role Ms Buchanan said she is keen to provide independent advice to the government on how to keep the system, which under increasing pressure, operating at its best.

“Systems have blind spots so having a body to oversee difficult agencies is really valuable,’’ she said.

“We are at a time were awareness of sexual abuse inside and outside of the family is increasing and has placed massive pressures on the system.”

Liana Buchanan. Picture: Victorian Law Reform Commission

Ms Buchanan said she would follow in the footsteps of her predecessor Bernie Geary who was a champion for vulnerable children and provide young people with a voice.

As Victoria’s former child safety watchdog Mr Geary carried out a wide reaching review of residential care units uncovering serious sexual abuse within state care before retiring in 2015.

Ms Buchanan has moved into the position as the role of the Commissioner has been broadened to include monitoring Category 1 incidents occurring in youth detention centres.

The Government has also flagged Ms Buchanan’s agency will oversee the creation of a reportable conduct scheme, which will include a centralised database to track perpetrators who attempt to hide their past by moving to different employment sectors.

Minister for families Jenny Mikakos welcomed the appointment.

Former child safety watchdog Bernie Geary.

“Liana Buchanan has a distinguished record in public service and will be an outstanding advocate for the rights of Victorian children and young people.”

“Ms Buchanan’s extensive legal and regulatory experience will help the Commission for Children and Young People in its expanded role overseeing the new reportable conduct scheme.”

“This scheme is key to sharing information to protect children and stamp out child abuse.”

Ms Buchanan begun working on community legal centres and last year her organisation assisted Rosie Batty during the coronial inquest into the death of Luke Batty.

She has also worked in senior roles within the Department of Justice and Regulation — including as the Director for corrections oversight body the Office of Correctional Services Review.

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