SNAICC in the News – Commencement of the National Commission & Connected Beginnings expands to 50 sites nationwide
For the week of 13 January 2025 saw the commencement of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, as well as the expansion of Connected Beginnings to 50 sites nationwide.
This week saw the commencement of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People with the appointment of Ngemba woman Lil Gordon as acting National Commissioner. The role, established in September 2024, has been a long advocated for position by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to address the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care. Lil Gordon brings extensive experience to the role having previously led Aboriginal Affairs in NSW and, most recently, serving as First Assistant Secretary – First Nations Partnerships at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. SNAICC Chairperson, Aunty Muriel Bamblett welcomed the appointment saying that the role is a pivotal step in realising a voice and facilitator for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families and called for the swift appointment of a permanent National Commissioner to ensure independent accountability.
The Connected Beginnings program has expanded to 50 communities across Australia this week with the announcement of two new sites on Miriwoong Country in Kununurra and Ngunnawal Country in South Canberra. Connected Beginnings is a key initiative for the success of First Nations children around Australia, delivered in partnership with SNAICC and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), and jointly funded by the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Aged Care, the program now supports up to 20% of First Nations children nationwide. SNAICC CEO, Catherine Liddle praised the program’s benefits in improving school readiness and strengthening family connections saying that this milestone signifies not only the success of the initiative but also a movement shaping the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through culturally safe, integrated services.
For complete coverage, find the news stories linked below.
Topic: Commencement of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People
This week saw the commencement of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People with the appointment of Ngemba woman Lil Gordon as acting National Commissioner.
The appointment of Lil Gordon as the acting National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People is a significant step toward addressing the urgent over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care. The role has been long-called for by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and is tasked with protecting and promoting the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and addressing systemic issues in child protection systems and juvenile justice. The historic role was officially established in September 2024 with the Albanese Government gazetting an Executive Order and creating the National Commission as an Executive Agency under the Public Service Act 1999.
Lil Gordon expressed their gratitude on LinkedIn saying it is a privilege to take on the interim position. Lil Gordon brings extensive experience to the role, having previously headed Aboriginal Affairs in NSW and, most recently, serving as the First Assistant Secretary – First Nations Partnerships at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
SNAICC Chairperson, Aunty Muriel Bamblett welcomed the establishment of the National Commissioner saying that it is a pivotal step in realising a voice and facilitator for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, ensuring their safety and protection. She expressed support for Lil Gordon noting their vital role in ensuring the protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. She also called for the swift appointment of a permanent National Commissioner, stressing the need for an independent authority with the power to hold governments accountable.
For complete coverage, find the linked media release and news stories below.
Read our Media ReleaseArticle: Appointment of acting commissioner for Indigenous children welcomed
Excerpt:
SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, the peak body for Indigenous children in Australia, welcomed the announcement of Ms Gordon,
SNAICC chair, Aunty Muriel Bamblett, said the announcement and commencement of the role was a “pivotal step in realising a voice and facilitator” for Indigenous children and their families to ensure their “safety and protection”.
“Our sector, communities and families are sick of seeing our children enter the out-of-home care and juvenile justice systems,” the 2024 NAIDOC Person of the year said.
“The Commissioner is a vital tool to reverse increasing trends for our children by holding government to account.”
Read the full article
Article: Lil Gordon appointed as acting National Commissioner
Excerpt:
Commenting on Ms Gordon’s appointment SNAICC – National Voice for our Children chair, Aunty Muriel Bamblett said the announcement and commencement of the role was a “pivotal step in realising a voice and facilitator” for Indigenous children and their families to ensure their “safety and protection”.
“Our sector, communities and families are sick of seeing our children enter the out-of-home care and juvenile justice systems,” the 2024 NAIDOC Person of the year said.
“The Commissioner is a vital tool to reverse increasing trends for our children by holding the government to account.”
Read the full article
Article: SNAICC welcomes Gordon as acting national commissioner
Excerpt:
The National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young people (SNAICC) has welcomed Lil Gordon as its Acting Commissioner.
“The commencement of the Commission is a pivotal step in realising a voice and facilitator for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, ensuring their ensure the safety and protection,” chairperson Aunty Muriel Bamblett said.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children are almost eleven times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children and 29 times more likely to be in youth detention, and trends are increasing.
“Our sector, communities and families are sick of seeing our children enter the out-of-homecare and juvenile justice systems. The Commissioner is a vital tool to reverse increasing trends for our children by holding government to account,” Ms Bamblett said.
Read the full article
Topic: Connected Beginnings expands to 50 sites nationwide
The Connected Beginnings program has expanded to 50 communities across Australia, with two new sites launched this week—one on Miriwoong Country in Kununurra and another on Ngunnawal Country in South Canberra—better supporting First Nations children to thrive in their early years.
Connected Beginnings is a key initiative for the success of First Nations children around Australia, delivered in partnership with SNAICC and NACCHO, and jointly funded by the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Aged Care. In 2021, the Australian Government committed $81.8 million to expand the Connected Beginnings program to 50 sites across the country by 2025, which has been met this week with the addition of the two new sites. The Connected Beginnings program now supports up to 20% of all First Nations children aged zero to five nationwide by connecting them to essential services that support them in achieving developmental milestones. The program has already seen an increase in preschool enrolment and positive developmental outcomes in communities where sites are established.
Earlier this week on Ngunnawal Country in South Canberra, the Australian Government announced $2.2 million allocated to Winnunga Nimmityjah Health and Community Services to expand the Connected Beginnings program in the Australian Capital Territory. This new site complements the existing location in the ACT’s north, together supporting all First Nations children across the territory. On Thursday 16 January, on Miriwoong Country in Kununurra, the Australian Government announced $2.4 million in funding to Binarri-binyja Yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation Limited, which will deliver integrated early childhood education, health and family support services to approximately 600 local First Nations children. This Connected Beginnings site marks the 50th Connected Beginnings site, completing the program’s expansion six months ahead of schedule and allowing more children to access critical services sooner.
Minister for Early Childhood Education, Dr Anne Aly, celebrated the opening of the 50th site in Kununurra, praising the program’s proven success in improving developmental outcomes and achieving Closing the Gap targets. She commended the community-driven model, which allows each site to tailor services to local needs. Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, echoed this, speaking on the program’s role in equipping First Nations children with the resources and support they need to thrive. She marked this milestone as a testament to community-led success and reaffirmed the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for a better future for First Nations children.
SNAICC CEO, Catherine Liddle, praised the program’s benefits in improving school readiness and strengthening family connections. With the program reaching 50 sites, Catherine said that this milestone signifies not only the success of the initiative but also a movement shaping the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through culturally safe, integrated services. By allowing communities to design services based on local needs the program is building long-term success for children and families.
With the addition of these two new sites, the Connected Beginnings program now operates in 50 locations across Australia, collectively supporting over 24,200 First Nations children.
For complete coverage, find the linked news stories below.
Read our Media ReleaseArticle: Connected Beginnings program expands into the ACT
Excerpt:
The Connected Beginnings program empowers communities to design initiatives that meet their unique needs, ensuring children are ready for big school, aiming to create a strong foundation for their educational journey by offering integrated, culturally safe services—from early childhood care to health and family support.
The Government partners with SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) to deliver the program.
The program connects First Nations children aged birth to five years of age with a range of early childhood education, health and family support services – helping children meet the learning and development milestones necessary to achieve a positive transition to school.
Read the full article
Media Release: Ensuring First Nations children are school-ready Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy
Excerpt:
Quotes attributable to SNAICC Chief Executive Catherine Liddle:
“The benefits of Connected Beginnings are undeniable – from increased school readiness to stronger family connections.
“As we celebrate 50 sites, we’re not just acknowledging a successful program, we’re seeing a movement that’s impacting the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children by offering culturally safe, integrated services that are driving positive developmental outcomes.
“By allowing each community to tailor their services to the unique needs of each community in places like Kununurra, Connected Beginnings is creating pathways for long-term success for children and families across the country.”
Read the full Media Release
Announcement: Celebrating 50 Connected Beginnings sites across Australia
Excerpt:
Nationally, the program supports about 24,800 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children across all 50 sites. The program has the potential to support up to 20% of all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children aged zero to 5.
Connected Beginnings is a community-owned and led initiative making a tangible difference in Closing the Gap in early childhood education. It provides steady, wrap-around support so children are safe, healthy and ready to thrive at school.
The program is jointly funded by us and the Department of Health and Aged Care. It’s delivered in partnership with SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
Read the full announcement
Article: Indigenous education support program expands in the Kimberley
Excerpt:
SNAICC chief executive, Catherine Liddle, has been vocal in her calls for more Indigenous-led programs to help First Nations children and families thrive.
She said the benefits of the Connected Beginnings program were undeniable, citing increased school readiness, to stronger family connections.
“By allowing each community to tailor their services to the unique needs of each community in places like Kununurra, Connected Beginnings is creating pathways for long-term success for children and families across the country,” Ms Liddle said.
Read the full article
Article: More funding to ensure First Nations children are school-ready
Excerpt:
In communities with established Connected Beginnings sites, the program is driving an increase in preschool enrolments and improvements to developmental outcomes.
The Government partners with SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) to deliver the program.
SNAICC Chief Executive Catherine Liddle said the benefits of Connected Beginnings were undeniable and Binarri-binyja Yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Officer Peter Webster said the funding represented a significant step forward in improving early childhood.
Read the full article
Article: Connected Beginnings expands into Kununurra
Excerpt:
The Government partners with SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) to deliver the program.
“As we celebrate 50 sites, we’re not just acknowledging a successful program, we’re seeing a movement that’s impacting the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children by offering culturally safe, integrated services that are driving positive developmental outcomes,” SNAICC Chief Executive Catherine Liddle said.
“By allowing each community to tailor their services to the unique needs of each community in places like Kununurra, Connected Beginnings is creating pathways for long-term success for children and families across the country.”
The new site is part of an Australian Government $81.8 million investment to expand the program to 50 sites across the country by June 2025.
Read the full article