SNAICC in the News – Federal Budget 2024–25
This week, SNAICC has welcomed aspects of the Federal Budget 2024–25 (released Tuesday 14 May), particularly additional funding for education, which will support efforts to close the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
The Federal Budget 2024–25, delivered by the Federal Government, includes $74.8 million over four years for a new National First Nations education policy and $2.4 million over three years for the First Nations Teacher Strategy, aimed at increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers in schools. SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle highlighted that, for the first time, SNAICC and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC) will receive dedicated funding—just over $29 million over four years, with $8.7 million per year ongoing. This funding is intended to allow the two organisations to partner with government on issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in early childhood and education, as well as to provide the organisations with important ongoing stability. Additionally, SNAICC praised a commitment to a wage rise for early childhood educators and the $5.9 million funding over two years for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner, supporting efforts to reduce the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system.
Despite these positive developments, SNAICC expressed concerns about significant early childhood initiatives that were not funded, highlighting the need for affordable childcare for families and the abolition of the childcare subsidy activity test, which remains unchanged in the budget. There are also concerns about the Early Years Support program, a $9 million, three-year pilot program that provides tailored support to Aboriginal community-controlled organisations in early childhood education and care, which will expire in December with no clear plans for continuation. Ms Liddle emphasised that investing in Aboriginal-led decision-making and partnerships, as recommended by the Productivity Commission’s review into Closing the Gap, is crucial. She stressed that proper investment in the early years can prevent future spending on child protection and youth detention systems, subsequently having the most significant impact on closing the gap.
The Labor Government has also revealed that the $20 million set aside for regional and local voices would be redirected while remaining unclear about commitment to the Makarrata Commission, which is a proposed commission that would facilitate treaty-making and truth-telling between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, stated that the government was focusing on practical measures to accelerate progress in Closing the Gap. However, notable Aboriginal groups have urged the government not to abandon the Uluru Statement from the Heart’s process and not to delegate consultative bodies to state governments. Catherine Liddle emphasised that any decision regarding the relocation of funds for the Voice to Parliament should align with the government’s commitment to share decision-making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. She stressed the need for genuine partnerships rather than ‘tick-a-box consultation’ and highlighted that all sectors must work together to effectively close the gap.
Positives:
Education funding:
- $74.8 million over four years for a new National First Nations education policy
- $2.4 million over three years for the First Nations Teacher Strategy, aimed at increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers in schools
- SNAICC and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC) to receive just over $29 million over four years, with $8.7 million per year ongoing, to partner with the government on issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in early childhood and education.
Wage increase and Commissioner funding:
- commitment to a wage rise for early childhood educators
- $5.9 million over two years for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner.
Concerns:
Shift away from treaties and regional voices:
- the decision to redirect the $20 million set aside for regional and local voices and the uncertain future of the Makarrata Commission has been met with criticism with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders arguing this move undermines the consultative process outlined in the Uluru Statement from the Heart
- Catherine Liddle emphasised the need for genuine partnerships and criticised the lack of transparent decision-making processes, highlighting that effective Closing the Gap initiatives require collaborative efforts between all levels of government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Missed Early Childhood initiatives:
- SNAICC urged the government to fund affordable childcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and abolish the childcare subsidy activity test, which remains unchanged
- concern over the expiration of pilot program for the Early Years Support program without clear plans for continuation.
- the budget allocation did not specify funds for Aboriginal community-controlled organisations within the $14.3 million Early Years Strategy.
For complete coverage, read the news and media stories linked below.
Article: SNAICC calls for affordable childcare for Indigenous families in upcoming budget – NIT (released 11 May)
Excerpt:
Read the full articleSNAICC — National Voice for our Children, propose the current government subsidy, which covers 90 per cent of at least 18 hours of childcare a week, be increased to 95 or 100 per cent of 30 hours, as well calling for the federal government to abolish the childcare subsidy activity test.
SNAICC chief executive, Catherine Liddle said addressing inequality and helping to close the gap had to begin in the early years of childhood.
“Childcare is not just a place for children to go while their parents are at work, it is hugely beneficial for building children’s social and cognitive skills, and getting them school-ready,” Ms Liddle said.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are less likely to attend early learning and more likely to start school developmentally vulnerable. And the evidence shows that when children start school behind, they struggle to catch up and are more likely to disengage.”
Radio story: Calls for increased childcare subsidies for First Nations families – ABC Radio National (released 14 May)
Excerpt:
Listen to the full reportAhead of the Federal budget, SNAICC, the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, is calling for childcare and early education to be made more affordable for First Nations families, through subsidies that would provide up to 30 hours of free access to childcare.
SNAICC and parts of the Aboriginal community-controlled early learning sector argue that increased access to affordable and culturally safe childcare would help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Media Release: Closing the gap by investing in jobs and housing – The Hon Linda Burney MP (released 14 May)
Excerpt:
Read the full releaseQuality school education for First Nations students to meet their full learning potential is a foundation for better life outcomes. The Government will ensure effective education investment, through genuine partnership, to improve education outcomes through:
- $74.8 million over four years to develop a new National First Nations Education Policy, extend a number of First Nations education programs, and provide partnership funding to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation and SNAICC – National Voice for our Children.
- $32.8 million over the 2025 school calendar year for the Clontarf Foundation to continue to school engagement programs for First Nations boys and young men.
- $2.4 million over three years to implement the First Nations Teacher Strategy to increase the number of First Nations teachers in schools.
Article: SNAICC welcomes federal budget education funding – NIT (released 15 May)
Excerpt:
Read the full articleThe peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children has welcomed the additional funding for education in the federal budget, arguing it will support efforts to close the gap.
Handed down on Tuesday, the budget saw $74.8m worth of funding over four years to develop a new National First Nations education policy, as well as $2.4m over three years to implement the First Nations Teacher Strategy to increase the number of First Nations teachers in school.
SNAICC – National Voice for our Children welcomed the budget’s education focus, especially initiatives targeted towards new policy developments and program delivery.
Article: Indigenous leaders criticise Labor for backing away from regional and local voices – NIT (released 15 May)
Excerpt:
Read the full article… Catherine Liddle, said any decision surrounding the relocation of funds set aside for the Voice should be in line with the Government’s commitment to share decision-making with Indigenous people — under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
“Any significant changes to the Indigenous Affairs policy agenda and decisions on taking forward elements of the Uluru Statement would be subject to an open and transparent process,” Ms Liddle said.
“We cannot close the gap unless governments change the way they work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We need genuine partnerships, not tick-a-box consultation.”
Ms Liddle said a “big bag of money” for some sectors was not being wisely invested if others missed out, arguing “they are all pieces of the same puzzle, and we need to figure out how they all work together”.
Interview with Catherine Liddle: BUDGET 2024 – FIRST NATIONS FUNDING WELCOMED, BUT MORE IS NEEDED – The Wire (released 16 May)
Excerpt:
Listen to the full interviewA First Nations organisation welcomes the government’s funding for new policies and childhood education.
SNAICC National Voice for our Children also welcomes the commitment to establish the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner with $5.9 million over two years.
But not everything’s good news, since the budget missed opportunities to do business with First Nations businesses.
Topic: National Early Years Strategy
Catherine Liddle spoke to SBS News Radio this week about the introduction of the 10-year national Early Years Strategy aimed at improving early childhood outcomes. The plan, targeting children from birth to age five, emphasises better coordination between state and federal government departments to ensure effective funding, resourcing, and child-centred policy development. Liddle welcomed the initiative but stressed the importance of adequate resourcing for its success. The plan aims to provide children with the best start in life and address specific needs and challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
View our coverageRadio interview: SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle on Indigenous kids and new national plan for early childhood – SBS News (First Nations First) (released 17 May)
Excerpt:
“… a promise of universal access to… high quality early education and care for all children, I think you couldn’t ask for more than that.
This is something that not only SNAICC but early educators and anyone working in social services has been advocating for for a very, very long time.
We know that the best start in life starts with quality early education and care, so seeing the government lean in, commit to it and say ‘we’re going to improve the sector, we’re going to ensure that every child has the best start in life’ – this is a good thing.” – Catherine Liddle
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