JSC submits legal submission to establish an independent Victims Commissioner

JSC provided a law reform submission in response to the NSW Government’s discussion paper on establishing an Independent Victims Commissioner. The proposed Commissioner would serve as an advocate for victims, oversee compliance with the Charter of Victims Rights, and conduct research into systemic issues affecting victim-survivors.

Our submissions align with the positions of other CLCs in advocating for a truly independent Commissioner with:

1. Stronger structural independence – We recommended that the Commissioner be explicitly required to act independently and in the public interest, not be subject to ministerial direction, and be appointed under the relevant VS legislation, rather than be appointed as a public servant.
2. Expanded systemic functions and stronger investigative powers – We supported giving the Commissioner oversight of systemic issues, not just individual complaints, and recommended that they have stronger powers to request information and documents from organisations when investigating failures in Victim Services.
3. Clear accountability mechanisms – We called for a requirement that government agencies respond to the Commissioner’s recommendations within 6 months, with written reasons if recommendations are not adopted, to improve transparency and accountability across the scheme.

JSC welcomes this reform and will continue to advocate for a well-resourced, independent Commissioner who can drive systemic change for victim-survivors.