SNAICC applauds Senate Committee recommendation to scrap activity test for First Nation families

SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children has applauded recommendations made by the Senate Select Committee on Work and Care in its recently released interim report and welcomes the opportunity to progress them with the Federal Government.

The Bi-partisan committee chaired by Australian Greens Senetor Barabara Pockock tabled eight recommendations including two that directly impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families namely:

Recommendation 7 – A call for long-term increases in funding to First Nations community controlled Early Childhood Education and Care, with a particular focus on regional, remote and some urban areas.

Recommendation 8 – A call to ensure that First Nations people are not required to meet the requirements of the activity test in order to receive subsidised child care.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in early childhood education and care is significantly lower than in other communities,” says SNAICC Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Liddle.

Ms Liddle said activity tests are one of the more significant barriers to accessing these services, disproportionately disadvantaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in regional and rural areas.

“Removing the activity test will go a long way toward giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families fairer access to the resources their children need to grow and thrive.”

Ms Liddle said it was encouraging to see the Committee make special note about the current funding model not enabling early childhood education and care providers to establish culturally safe and holistic services in high-need areas.

“SNAICC welcomes the recommendations to increase funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood education and care services and abolishing the activity test for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

“We look forward to progressing these recommendations with the Federal Government.”