The Committee on Children and Young People at the Parliament of New South Wales has marked a historic milestone as the first-ever all-female Parliamentary Committee. The appointment of an all-female membership to an important oversight Committee is an example of pioneering women lawmakers progressing women’s roles in the state Parliament.

The Committee will aim to champion the rights and wellbeing of children and young people by overseeing the work of the Advocate for Children and Young People and the Children’s Guardian in the Australian State.

Hon. Helen Dalton, MP, Committee Chair, emphasised the significance of this momentous occasion, stating: “We are making history by creating a platform for the voices of women and, most importantly, the voices of children and young people we represent, to be heard, acknowledged, and acted on.”

In the 58th Parliament of New South Wales, seven of 18 Legislative Assembly-administered Committees are made up predominantly of women, with four Committees chaired by female Members of Parliament. Forty-six per cent of the 122 Members of the New South Wales Parliament that serve on these Committees are women.