Establishment of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children – SNAICC in the News

SNAICC in the News – Establishment of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People

The week of 30 September 2024 marks the historic establishment of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, as well as coverage of the transition of out-of-home care to Aboriginal organisations and universal childcare discussions.

This week marks a significant achievement with the official establishment of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People. The Albanese Government has gazetted an Executive Order, creating the National Commission as an Executive Agency under the Public Service Act 1999. Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, described this development as a historic step, reflecting the long-standing ambition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector for a Commissioner with real authority. She noted that this achievement aligns with the commitments of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, with ongoing legislation aimed at enhancing the Commissioner’s powers and independence. The National Commissioner is set to be operational from 13 January 2025, tasked with making recommendations to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

On 30 September, Catherine Liddle appeared on 10 News First to discuss the recent announcement that major child and family care organisations in Australia will transition control of out-of-home care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to community-controlled organisations. Catherine emphasised that Aboriginal-led organisations are better equipped to provide culturally appropriate care and facilitate reconnections with families. Citing success stories, Catherine pointed out a case where a Queensland organisation quickly identified over 200 family members willing to care for a child, showcasing the efficacy of properly resourced Aboriginal community-controlled services.

In recent discussions about the urgent need for accessible childcare in Australia, Catherine has brought attention to the underrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in early childhood education and care, as reported by The Canberra Times. She, again, urged the government to address systemic barriers faced by Aboriginal families, advocating for the removal of the activity test and increased subsidies for low-income households. Catherine also called for a new funding model tailored to Aboriginal community-controlled services, aligning with recommendations from the Productivity Commission. The Commission’s report proposes a framework for universal access, recommending that childcare should be free for families earning up to $80,000 and the removal of the activity test.

For complete coverage, read the news and media stories linked below.

Topic: Establishment of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People

This week, a major milestone has been achieved in the establishment of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People.

The Albanese Government has gazetted the Executive Order this week, officially creating the National Commission as an Executive Agency under the Public Service Act 1999. With the structural foundation now in place, recruitment for the role of National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People is expected to open this month.

The Albanese Government states that the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People will possess the autonomy to investigate issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and will be instrumental in addressing over-representation in out-of-home care and youth detention. The National Commissioner will engage directly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth, amplifying their voices, needs and aspirations and will provide policy advice to governments to support the implementation of key frameworks and ensure effective coordination.

Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, described the development as an exciting and historic step. Catherine said that the establishment of the national commission through shared decision-making reflects the long-held ambition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector to have a National Commissioner with real authority. She noted that the success in creating this role is largely due to the commitments outlined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Catherine said that the next step is progressing legislation to further strengthen the powers and independence of the National Commissioner.

Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, described the establishment of the national commission as a historic milestone that reflects the Albanese Government’s commitment to shared decision-making. She noted that the National Commissioner will provide expert advice on developing and delivering policies, programs and services to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, emphasised the urgency of addressing the systemic issues our children face. She pointed out that the over-representation of young people in out-of-home care and youth detention is unacceptable. McCarthy also highlighted the importance of incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, saying that the National Commissioner will be informed by the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, whose perspectives are vital.

The National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People is planned to be operational from 13 January 2025, tasked with investigating and making recommendations on issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, amplifying their voices and helping drive systemic change to improve their outcomes.

For complete coverage, read the news and media linked below.

Topic: Catherine Liddle on 10 News First to discuss the transition of control of out-of-home care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

On Monday 30 September, Catherine Liddle appeared on 10 News First to discuss last week’s announcement that Australia’s major child and family care organisations have committed to transition control of out-of-home care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to Aboriginal community-controlled organisations. 

During the interview, Catherine outlined that community-led organisations are better positioned to support our children, as they can provide culturally appropriate care and reconnect them with their families and communities. She emphasised the role of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which has created space for these conversations about reform.

Catherine also addressed the long-term trauma caused by disconnection from family, culture and community for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care. She shared examples from coronial inquests, which often point to this disconnection as a key factor in adverse outcomes. She illustrated the effectiveness of Aboriginal community-controlled organisations with a success story from Queensland, where one organisation found over 200 family members willing to care for a child in just two weeks after an NGO had struggled for nearly two years. This example emphasises how quickly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled services can create positive outcomes when properly resourced and empowered.

Catherine concluded by noting that while these reforms primarily address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, the approaches and support systems advocated by SNAICC can benefit all children within the child protection system.

Topic: Universal Childcare

In recent discussions about the urgent need for accessible childcare in Australia, Catherine Liddle has highlighted the underrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in early childhood education and care, as reported by The Canberra Times.

In the article, Catherine Liddle emphasises the necessity for the government to address the systemic barriers faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. She continues to support calls for the removal of the activity test and advocates for increased subsidies for low-income households. Catherine has also reiterated her call for a new funding model specifically designed for Aboriginal community-controlled services, in line with recommendations from the Productivity Commission. The Commission’s recent report, A Path to Universal Early Childhood Education and Care, proposes a framework for universal access, suggesting that childcare should be free for families earning up to $80,000 and advocating for the removal of the activity test, which currently limits support based on employment status.

However, these proposed reforms come with a $4.7 billion price tag. Opposition leader Peter Dutton has indicated his intention to campaign against significant taxpayer-funded increases to childcare support, emphasising the need for structured assistance that does not compromise economic competitiveness. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has noted the importance of early childhood development, saying human brain development occurs predominantly in the first five years. He aligns with many early childhood development experts who stress the necessity for universal access to affordable childcare, recognising that quality early education plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s future.

The Parenthood, an advocacy group representing around 80,000 parents and carers, supports this perspective, stressing that access to high-quality early education has a significant impact on a child’s readiness for school. Chief executive Georgie Dent has remarked that if the zero-to-five window is missed, children are at a disadvantage. This sentiment underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to reforming the childcare system, ensuring that all children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, receive the support they need for a strong start in life.

For complete coverage, read the article linked below.