SNAICC in the News – Changes to childcare funding model & SA Peak Body
The week of 10 June 2024 media coverage highlights proposed changes to the childcare funding model in two new reports, as well as the announcement of Wakwakurna Kanyini as the name of South Australia’s newly formed peak body for Aboriginal children and their families.
A report, commissioned by the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, proposes replacing the current Child Care Subsidy with a more tailored funding approach that is better suited to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities. Meanwhile, a new report from the Centre for Policy Development outlines a plan to implement a universal childcare system in ten years, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressing support for universal childcare reforms, including a proposal to cap childcare costs at $10 per day.
This week also saw the announcement of Wakwakurna Kanyini as the name of the recently formed peak body for Aboriginal children and families in South Australia. Wakwakurna Kanyini means holding on to our children, Wakwakurna is the Kaurna word for children and Kanyini is a Pitjantjatjara word with a meaning that loosely translates to interconnectedness, nurture and support for family, country and community.
For complete coverage, read the news and media stories linked below.
Topic: Changes to childcare funding model
This week, a new SNAICC report highlighted proposed changes to the childcare funding model that are needed to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The report, commissioned by the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, recommends replacing the current Child Care Subsidy with a more tailored funding approach. Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, highlights the broader role of community-controlled early childhood services in supporting cultural connections and providing support services beyond traditional childcare. However, these services often receive insufficient funding.
The proposed funding model aims to better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, addressing disparities in early education access and challenges faced in remote communities. SNAICC advocates for a sustainable funding approach aligned with community needs to improve outcomes for children and families. While Labor’s recent budget allocated $5.4 billion to increase childcare subsidies, SNAICC continues to call for broader reforms, such as removing the activity test.
Meanwhile, a new report from the Centre for Policy Development outlines a plan to implement a universal childcare system in ten years. It proposes providing three days of free childcare per week to low-income families earning $80,000 or less. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed support for universal childcare reforms, including a proposal to cap childcare costs at $10 per day. Albanese is waiting for more information from an upcoming Productivity Commission report, which advocates for fully subsidised care for low-income families.
For full coverage, view the media stories linked below.
Article: Indigenous children and families being “let down” by childcare funding model, peak body says – NIT (published 11 June)
Excerpt:
Read the full articleSNAICC chief executive Catherine Liddle said early childhood services run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities provided so much more than childcare.
“Our community-controlled services aren’t just babysitting children – they provide cultural connections which strengthen self-esteem and identity. They help parents and family members navigate systems like Centrelink, and act as an entry-point for other services – like family violence support – that aren’t always safe for our people to approach alone,” she said.
“They are filling the gaps left by mainstream government services and organisations that don’t have the same levels of cultural competency and trust as our Aboriginal community-controlled services.
“But as far as the government’s concerned, as far the funding is concerned, they’re just providing childcare. That couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Article: New report recommends three days per week free childcare – SBS Radio (broadcast 12 June)
Excerpt:
Listen to the full report“A new report by the Centre for Policy Development has recommended three days per week of free childcare for some families, with a small fee for others. The report argues child care should be seen in the same light as public education and Medicare, which is offered to all Australians.”
Article: Anthony Albanese open to capping childcare at $10 a day – The Australian (published 12 June)
Excerpt:
Read the full article (please note: paywall)“[SNAICC] chief executive Catherine Liddle said that [Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander] children, in particular, were being let down by the current childcare system. “Under the Child Care Subsidy, funding is attached to the child, and this has created an inequitable system, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families,” Ms Liddle said.
“If the service isn’t funded directly, and the funding is only coming with the child, there’s very little financial incentive for services to keep doors open in thinly populated areas … We cannot tinker around the edges of such a dysfunctional system and expect that to close the gap in life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.””
Topic: Wakwakurna Kanyini – South Australian peak body for Aboriginal children and families
This week saw the announcement of Wakwakurna Kanyini as the name of the peak body for Aboriginal children and families in South Australia.
Wakwakurna Kanyini means holding on to our children, Wakwakurna is the Kaurna word for children and Kanyini is a Pitjantjatjara word with a meaning that loosely translates to interconnectedness, nurture and support for family, country and community.
Wakwakurna Kanyini is being established, following recommendations from SNAICC, to advocate for and support the wellbeing of South Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Backed by a $3.2 million investment from the state government, Wakwakurna Kanyini intends to amplify the voices of our children and work with government to reduce over-representation in the child protection system. Additionally, it aims to strengthen community-controlled services for our children, supporting cultural connections and providing necessary support.
The announcement of Wakwakurna Kanyini comes in the wake of a recent report by April Lawrie, South Australian Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, which identified systemic racism as a significant factor in the disproportionate removal of Aboriginal children from their families in South Australia. This report highlights the urgency and importance of Wakwakurna Kanyini’s role in advocating for policy reform and addressing critical issues affecting our children and families in South Australia.
For full coverage, view the media stories linked below.
South Australian Government Media ReleaseArticle: Name of new peak body for Indigenous children and families revealed – InDaily (published 12 June)
Excerpt:
Read the full article“Its creation followed a report from the SNAICC – the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people – which was engaged to identify a preferred model for the independent organisation in South Australia.
Wakwakurna Kanyini will be responsible for amplifying the voices of children and young people, partnering with the government to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal children in the child protection system, and building the capacity of the community-controlled sector to provide services to Aboriginal children.”