SNAICC launches 2023 Family Matters Report

SNAICC – National Voice for our Children will live stream the launch of the 2023 Family Matters Report in Tarntanya/Adelaide later today. 

 

The report examines government actions to address the over-representation and the outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection systems. It highlights Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led solutions and calls on governments to support and invest in the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to lead on child wellbeing, development and safety responses for First Nations children. 

 

This year’s report shows that child protection systems continue to fail Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, with the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children entering out-of-home care continuing to rise, exposing them to ongoing harm and trauma. 

 

Key findings from the 2023 Family Matters Report include: 

  

• 22,328 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children currently in out-of-home care  
• 10.5 times more likely to be living in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children  
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children represent 42.8 per cent of the total number of children in out-of-home care but only represent 5.98 per cent of all children in Australia.  

 

The Family Matters report presents Aboriginal-led solutions to what is working best for First Nations children and communities. It includes case studies from Aboriginal community-controlled organisations that offer culturally safe wraparound supports that ensure First Nations children grow up healthy and strong in family, connected to culture and kin. 

 

Current trends indicate that the National Agreement on Closing the Gap’s Target 12 (to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care by 45 per cent by 2031) will not be met. The data presented in the Family Matters report highlights the need for transformative change and highlights the solutions that need systematic support and sustainable funding.  

 

“The most effective and immediate action the government can make to ensure the safety and protection of our children is to stand up a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner, with the legislated power to investigate and make recommendations on issues impacting our children,” a SNAICC representative noted. 

 

In line with the release of the report, SNAICC compelled the community to take immediate action by using this template to urge Federal Members of Parliament and Senators to support the establishment of a National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

 

The official launch will be broadcast here at the following times: 

 

• Perth: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (AWST) 
• Darwin: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm (ACST) 
• Brisbane: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (AEST) 
• Adelaide: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (ACDT) 
• Melbourne/Sydney/Hobart/Canberra: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (AEDT). 

 

Speakers include:

 

• The Hon. Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians 
• The Hon. Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services 
• April Lawrie, Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People in South Australia   
• John Leha, AbSec CEO, SNAICC board member and member of the Family Matters Leadership Group
• Associate Professor Paul Gray 
• Video case studies from Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation, the SNAICC Connected Beginnings team and the Connected Beginnings site in Bourke NSW. 

 

For more information on the annual Family Matters report, visit the SNAICC website.