SNAICC in the News – One year since the Voice Referendum & Connected Beginnings program expands to Kempsey
The week of 14 October 2024 covers one year since the Voice Referendum and expansion of the Connected Beginnings program with Dalaigur Pre-School and Children’s Services Aboriginal Corporation funded to deliver the program on Dunghutti Country in Kempsey.
In interviews with ABC Radio this week, CEO of SNAICC and Deputy Co-Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, Catherine Liddle, talked about the impact of the 2023 Voice Referendum and—reflecting on the result—Catherine emphasised the importance of resilience and forward momentum. She took the opportunity to highlight significant, landmark policy advancements that have occurred since the referendum, such as the establishment of the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, and called for urgent attention to youth justice matters. The Coalition of Peaks Lead Convenor and Gudanji-Arrernte woman, Patricia Turner, emphasised the importance of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap as a framework that recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ ability to lead initiatives for communities. Patricia reflected on achievements over the past year since the referendum, including landmark progress in out-of-home care through Allies for Children, who recently announced the transfer of care responsibilities to Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
On 17 October 2024, Ministers Dr Anne Aly and Ged Kearney announced a $1.8 million investment in the Connected Beginnings program with the funding to enable Dalaigur Pre-School and Children’s Services Aboriginal Corporation to deliver the program on Dunghutti Country in Kempsey. Connected Beginnings connects children aged zero to five with essential educational, health and family support services. With this announcement, the program now operates in 48 locations nationwide, supporting more than 23,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
For complete coverage, read the news and media stories linked below.
Topic: One year since the Voice Referendum
This week marks one year since the Voice Referendum.
In interviews with ABC Radio this week, CEO of SNAICC and Deputy Co-Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, Catherine Liddle, talked about the impact of the 2023 Voice Referendum and—reflecting on the result—Catherine emphasised the importance of resilience and forward momentum. She took the opportunity to highlight significant, landmark policy advancements that have occurred since the referendum, such as the establishment of the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, and called for urgent attention to youth justice matters. Catherine reiterated the interconnectedness of the principles in the Uluru Statement from the Heart—Voice, Treaty, Truth—stressing that a comprehensive approach is essential for meaningful change.
The Coalition of Peaks Lead Convenor and Gudanji-Arrernte woman, Patricia Turner, emphasised the importance of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap as a framework that recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ ability to lead initiatives for communities. She stressed the need for changes to be systemic and sustainable, saying that funding needs to effectively reach communities while governments enact substantial reforms. Patricia reflected on achievements over the past year since the referendum, including landmark progress in out-of-home care through Allies for Children, who recently announced the transfer of care responsibilities to Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
In an article marking the first anniversary of the Voice referendum, Melissa Sweet and Marie McInerney from Croakey Health Media explore the perspectives of leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander figures across the sector. Regardless of the referendum results, the article demonstrates that there is a shared determination to continue advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights, recognition and systemic change. There is a strong call for ongoing community engagement, a commitment to truth-telling and the urgent need for government accountability to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are central to future decision-making processes.
For complete coverage, read the news and media linked below.
Media Release: A year on from referendum: Three things we achieved, three areas we must keep the heat on (published 12 October)
Excerpt:
Almost a year on from the Voice referendum, the peak body for Aboriginal community- controlled organisations is highlighting areas of progress towards closing the gap, and areas where governments need to do better.
The Coalition of Peaks represents organisations working in areas like health, housing and legal services, serving around half a million Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in total.
Lead Convenor and Gudanji-Arrernte woman Patricia Turner said progress was being made under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which the Coalition of Peaks signed along with Federal, State and Territory Governments in 2020.
“The agreement is about recognising that we, as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, know what is best for our own communities,” Ms Turner said.
“For too long, governments had made laws and designed programs for us, not with us. There’s been tick-a-box consultation, if any at all.
“The National Agreement on Closing the Gap changes that, and real progress has been made in areas like employment and early childhood education.
“But the changes have to be systemic and they have to be long-term. There’s important work still to do to make sure the rubber’s hitting the road, funding is getting to communities, and governments are truly changing.”
Article: One year after Voice referendum, there is strong resolve and determination to keep pushing for change (published 11 October)
Excerpt:
Looking back on the morning after the referendum, Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, National Voice for Our Children, recalls her determination to get going again.
“I had work to do,” she said. But she conceded that walking out of her hotel room knowing 60 percent of the nation had voted No was tough.
“Those first steps were hard, but they were also a catalyst and motivation to move forward at a new pace,” she said. “I suspect many of us felt the same way.”
While the referendum loss was “an enormous blow”, SNAICC has continued to work to ensure a thriving future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children,” she said.
Progress has been made on the appointment of a National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, with the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children being established.
Topic: Connected Beginnings program expands to Kempsey
The Australian Government announced this week the expansion of the Connected Beginnings program with Dalaigur Pre-School and Children’s Services Aboriginal Corporation to deliver the program on Dunghutti Country in Kempsey.
On 17 October 2024, Minister Dr Anne Aly and Assistant Minister Ged Kearney announced a $1.8 million investment in the Connected Beginnings program, aimed at enhancing early childhood education and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Kempsey, New South Wales. This funding will enable Dalaigur Pre-School and Children’s Services Aboriginal Corporation to deliver Connected Beginnings, which connects children aged zero to five with essential educational, health and family support services.
The program is set to support around 700 local children, contributing to the government’s broader commitment of $81.8 million to expand the program to 50 sites nationally, potentially reaching 20% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the targeted age group. Minister Dr Anne Aly emphasised the program’s role in ensuring equitable access to quality early childhood education, while Assistant Minister Ged Kearney spoke on its importance in closing the health gap and centring the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Catherine Liddle reinforced the significance of culturally-centred early education in driving positive outcomes and increasing school readiness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Fred Kelly, Chairperson of Dalaigur Pre-School, expressed the program’s commitment to fostering cultural identity and community engagement, ensuring that Aboriginal children have access to resources and support tailored to their needs.
Connected Beginnings connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families with essential early childhood education, health services and family support. The program operates in 48 locations nationwide, supporting more than 23,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, enhancing early childhood education and health outcomes for our children, driving authentic progress in communities and ensuring they are ready for school.
For complete coverage, read the news and media linked below.
Media Release: Ensuring First Nations children in New South Wales are school ready (published 17 October)
Excerpt:
Quotes attributable to SNAICC Chief Executive Catherine Liddle:
“SNAICC is very proud to be the Community Partner in the Connected Beginnings program, that is expanding access to culturally-centred early education and care to many more children and families around the country.
“This is helping to drive positive outcomes in early childhood for Aboriginal and Torres Strait children by increasing participation in early education activities and increasing school readiness.
“The benefits of Connected Beginnings extend to the entire community, as we know closing the gap starts with our children.”
Article: Kempsey the latest site to be funded for Connected Beginnings program (published 18 October)
Excerpt:
The Government partners with SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to deliver the program, which has been allocated $81.8 million to expand to 50 sites nationally. Once all 50 sites are established, the program has the potential to support up to 20 per cent of all First Nations children aged from birth to five years of age.
Other Connected Beginnings sites in NSW include Bourke, Broken Hill, Doonside, Dubbo, Gosford, Mount Druitt, Taree, Wagga Wagga and Wyong.
Once all NSW sites are up and running, the program will support around 6,900 First Nations children across the state.