Commentary on Sections Section 10: Annual report
56.Subsection (1) requires the Commissioner to prepare an annual report which must be laid before the Parliament. The report must cover the functions exercised by the Commissioner during the preceding year.
57.Subsection (2) sets out the matters that must be included in the annual report. These will be included in every annual report. There is, however, no restriction on the inclusion of any other areas considered relevant to the Commissioner. The annual report will, for example enable the Commissioner to comment on the “big themes” of the previous year in relation to the rights of children and young people. It will also contain an indication of the themes to be tackled over the following year, including how the strategy to involve children and young people is expected to develop. The Commissioner can also make recommendations in the annual report. These could, for example be recommendations repeated from earlier reports (such as a report following an investigation) or they could be new recommendations. The annual report could, for example, be an opportunity for the Commissioner to comment on his or her powers under this Act and whether amendment to this legislation is desirable.