Federal Government opens public consultation on Family Safety Plan

The Federal Government has opened public consultation about the design of a standalone National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan, inviting responses from members of the public and those with an interest in First Nations children and families, including those working in early childhood education and care (ECEC). 

The process is being conducted by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and is seeking perspectives on the solutions, priorities and approaches that will make up the Family Safety Plan, ensuring it is shaped by the voices and views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Building on the consultation and engagement that informed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023-2025 which was launched in August 2023, the Family Safety Plan aims to address the disproportionate number of First Nations women and children who are impacted by family violence. 

First Nations women and children are 34 times more likely to be hospitalised due to violence than non-Indigenous women and six times more likely to die because of family violence.

“Our Government is committed to ending violence towards women and children in one generation, including for First Nations women and children who we know are disproportionately impacted by family violence,” Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said. 

“This public submission process will give people – particularly victim-survivors who have experienced violence – the opportunity to engage on a series of questions regarding key priorities, challenges, and solutions to address the rates of gender-based violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”

First Nations people, service providers on the ground and anyone interested an opportunity to contribute to the Plan is asked to come forward and to identify solutions and approaches that can combat the disproportionately high rates of family, domestic, and sexual violence amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“Providing everyone the opportunity to contribute is an important part of the consultation and design process. This will contribute to the broader consultation and engagement program that SNAICC are delivering to support the First Nations National Plan Steering Committee in development of the plan,” Minister Rishworth said.

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle wants to ensure that the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan reflects “the needs and aspirations of our communities” and that it makes “a real difference in the safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

“It’s vital we emphasise the importance of including voices from across the country, encompassing lived experiences, grassroots perspectives, organisations, and academics to inform a standalone plan to enhance safety for women and children,” Ms Liddle said.

Steering Committee co-chair Muriel Bamblett agreed, saying that it was important that community voices and experiences were prioritised as the national plan progressed.

“The standalone National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan will be critical to increasing safety for our women and children, so we need to hear from a range of stakeholders,” Professor Bamblett said.

“We want to make sure all perspectives on the solutions, priorities and approaches have every opportunity to inform the National Plan, so it reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities.”

More detailed information on the public submission process is available through the SNAICC website. This includes a discussion paper that can be used to support all responses to the public submission process.

The public submissions process is open from now until 11:59pm AEST on Friday 25 October 2024. To share your views and experiences, you can upload a written or audio submission here.

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family, or sexual violence, call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.

If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au

Feeling worried or no good? Connect with 13YARN Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters on 13 92 76, available 24/7 from any mobile or pay phone, or visit www.13yarn.org.au No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn.