Megan Mitchell has been appointed as Australia's first national children's commissioner. Source: AAP
NEW National Children's Commissioner Megan Mitchell has faced big questions from the smallest voices even before starting her role.
Meeting some of the primary school students who helped choose her for the job, Ms Mitchell was quizzed about what she hoped to achieve and why she had wanted the position.
But the first question was one close to the hearts of the nation's schoolkids: Would she get to choose if they got less homework?
Ms Mitchell told the students at Kingsford Smith School in Canberra that was an example of where children should start up a discussion and see if they could change things.
"Often adults make decisions about children without actually listening to them," she said.
"I think that's a big mistake, and it's one of the things I want to change."
The national commissioner will promote discussion about issues affecting children, conduct research and consult directly with children in examining commonwealth legislation.
The role will have a strong focus on vulnerable children.
Ms Mitchell is currently the NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People.
She takes up the national role, within the Australian Human Rights Commission, on March 25 for five years.
The commissioner said a voice for children at a national level had been missing and it was an honour to fill that gap.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard told the Years 5 and 6 students it was the responsibility of adults to create a good Australia for them.
"We've been thinking about what's a way of ensuring that the voices of children are heard as government goes about making decisions," she said.
"We want to make sure that young people are safe, that they're healthy, that they get a great opportunity for education, that they get to feel included as an Australian."
Families Australia said Ms Mitchell's appointment was a major step forward in promoting children's wellbeing and safety.
About 40 children at Kingsford Smith were consulted about what sort of children's commissioner they would like during the selection process.
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