SNAICC calls for national strategy and generational targets

SNAICC – National Voice for our Children has issued a statement congratulating the returning Coalition Government on their election success, and calling for a national strategy, with generational targets, to eliminate over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care and address the causes of child removal, as well as ensuring adequate access to quality education in the early years of their lives.

The advocacy group said it was ready to work alongside a new Indigenous Affairs Minister and Social Services Minister to prioritise better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The call for a national strategy coincides with the SNAICC initiative, Family Matters campaign National Week of Action, to raise awareness of the causes and solutions to the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the out-of-home care system.

Muriel Bamblett, SNAICC Chairperson, said the complexity and depth of the issue – spanning both federal and state government powers – “requires a holistic national strategy if we are to make any real dents”. She said the incoming Federal Government has “a responsibility to demonstrate commitment and leadership by starting this process, premised on the principles of self-determination and partnership agreed under the Closing the Gap refresh process”.

Calling for evidence-based, community-led solutions, Ms Bamblett said “We need to see better commitment from our federal leaders to break the cycle of trauma for our children and families.”

“So many Aboriginal children aren’t able to access early years education, which is such a crucial time in their education journey. It’s clearly an area that Australia should and must be doing better.”

In the lead up to both the Federal election and the National Week of Action, SNAICC clearly identified key components of the national strategy for the new Federal Government. Chief amongst these were:

• increased investment in family support and reunification services;

• a framework for expansion and development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector; and,

• a specific program to increase coverage of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander early education and care services in areas of low access and high vulnerability.

For more information on SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, see here. To learn more about the National Week of Action, please visit The Sector coverage here.