Submission to Department of Social Services on Developing a National Not-For-Profit Blueprint

SNAICC welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback to the Blueprint Expert Reference Group (BERG) on the Developing a Not-For-Profit Sector Development Blueprint – Issues Paper (‘Issues Paper’).

The Issues Paper seeks feedback on a vision for the not-for-profit (NFP) sector in Australia and asks for input across specific questions relevant to the development of the NFP Blueprint.

SNAICC represents the interests of its members, many of whom are NFPs and ACCOs. SNAICC is supportive of the key qualities and priority areas for action as identified in the Issues Paper and related Summary Vision paper.

Recommendations

SNAICC recommends:

1. the summary vision and the NFP Blueprint fully embed the principle of self-determination with a focus on ‘active support’ of self-determination across the NFP sector.
2. the summary vision and the NFP Blueprint explicitly reference the need to grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled sector as a core component of the NFP sector in line with Priority Reform 2 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
3. NFP Blueprint explicitly acknowledge the central role of the ACCO sector in providing services, policy and advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
4. the NFP Blueprint embed cultural responsiveness in mainstream services as a core
5. the NFP Blueprint acknowledge the importance of collective and representative participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NFPs to inform and lead policy reform and advance equal partnership with governments that reflect self-determination.
6. the NFP Blueprint highlight the role of ACCO peak bodies and backbone support organisations for service providers as a mechanism to facilitate sector-wide campaign and advocacy approaches.
7. the NFP Blueprint recognises the critical role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies in providing sector and community voice and backbone supports to ACCO service providers, in alignment with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
8. the NFP Blueprint recognises the need for a strong and sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce across all sectors.
9. the NFP Blueprint includes tangible actions to build the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce led by ACCOs.
10. the NFP Blueprint recognises the role that ACCO peak bodies and backbone support services play in supporting a strong and sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce including at the leadership level.
11. the NFP Blueprint acknowledges the funding challenges faced by ACCOs and calls for the implementation of the recommendations from Stronger ACCOs, Stronger Families and the application of these principles to all government commissioning related to ACCOs.
12. the NFP Blueprint embed Indigenous Data Sovereignty as a core principle.