11–18 September 2026
SNAICC has warned that racist political rhetoric harms Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, in public life and online, with SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle speaking to ABC audiences across the Northern Territory.
SNAICC Chair Aunty Muriel Bamblett AO called for family violence systems to be transformed, and Aboriginal leaders in Western Australia called for community-led child protection reform.
Here is a look at where the conversation has been, 11–18 September 2026.
Racist Rhetoric Harms Children in Public Life and Online
SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle joined Liz Trevaskis on ABC NT Afternoons this week to respond to comments about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made by One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson. SNAICC’s warning about online racism also featured in Women’s Agenda.
SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle told ABC NT Afternoons there was one way to describe the comments:
“The only way to describe those comments was ignorant and racist, and the only reason to use it was to be cruel.”
She said the intent was to dehumanise Aboriginal people, and told ABC listeners what the comments ignored:
“There is something quite remarkable about belonging to the oldest continuing culture in the world. That is something quite fundamental … and something that all Australians should be proud of.”
Asked about the impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, Catherine pointed to SNAICC’s evidence given to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Racism, Hate and Violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are experiencing racism at a much higher level than any other social demographic in the country. The younger you are, the more intense that is.”
She said what is said in the media and on social media doesn’t stay there. Children carry it into the classroom and home.
Catherine also spoke about SNAICC’s own social media accounts. With some of the worst comments targeting posts of young children speaking language. She told ABC NT Afternoons what those attacks are built to do:
“It’s designed to make you turn off your comments so that you don’t get engagement with the positive stories.”
SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle asked ABC listeners to share positive stories, including SNAICC’s podcast, and not to engage with angry posts.
“Don’t walk past it when you see something horrific,”
An opinion piece published in Women’s Agenda by Prabha Nandagopal discussed the exposure draft of the Online Safety Amendment (Digital Duty of Care) Bill 2026 arguing that the removal of race in the bill is ignores recommendations made by the independent review of Australia’s online safety laws.
It cited coverage in SNAICC’s testimony before the Parliamentary Inquiry into Racism, Hate and Violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people covered by the National Indigenous Times, of how pervasive racism directed towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is.
The Bill would require platforms to assess the risks their systems create and take reasonable steps to keep people safe.
SNAICC’s submission to the racism inquiry said coordinated groups use coded language to get past moderation and becomes more active around elections.
Online racism was also covered in this week’s episode of Kids, Culture, Community, SNAICC Yarns, which looks at the Parliamentary Inquiry into Racism, Hate and Violence.
Racism starts at the top. Addressing these narratives has to start with accountability from those in power.
SNAICC is calling on governments to set standards for political and media discourse, and to hold social media platforms accountable for racist commentary. Closing the gap starts with our children.
READ OUR SUBMISSION TO THE PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY INTO RACISM, HATE AND VIOLENCE
Read the media releaseFamily Violence Systems Need Transformation, Not Adaptation
Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) CEO and SNAICC Chair Aunty Muriel Bamblett AO has told the National Indigenous Times that systems responding to family violence must be transformed, with long-term investment in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).
The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission’s latest annual report shows the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children hospitalised after family violence has reached 45 per 100,000, the highest recorded, moving further from Closing the Gap Target 13.
National data on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences of family violence remains insufficient.
SNAICC’s Chair and CEO of VACCA, Aunty Muriel Bamblett told the National Indigenous Times the data shows a system weighted towards crisis response and multiple systemic failures in the current system and what needs to change:
“What’s needed is a real shift away from approaches that adapt existing systems for Aboriginal people, to a complete transformation of systems.”
“We know what’s needed to prevent and respond to domestic, family and sexual violence. The critical gap is sustained investment, the ability to reform systems and practices, and accountability for outcomes.”
SNAICC led the development of the National Child and Family Investment Strategy, which commits governments to shift investment from crisis responses to early, targeted and culturally safe support.
Earlier this year Governments committed to the Strategy. Now they must deliver it.
At the time, SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle said:
“This strategy is the first of its kind, paving the way for governments to truly commit to closing the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children,”
“For too long, child protection systems have focused on crisis responses and removing children, rather than investing early to keep families strong and together.
“The National Child and Family Investment Strategy makes it clear that governments need to redirect investment to where the evidence shows it will make the biggest difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children – early intervention and prevention and ACCO-led services.
“The Strategy provides a framework for genuine systemic reform.
SNAICC and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group are leading consultation on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Second Action Plan, which will guide national action from 2027 to 2031 towards Closing the Gap Target 12.
This week, Queenslanders with Disability Network shared current consultations with its members.
Consultation on the Safe and Supported Second Action Plans is open now and closes on 30 September.
If this story raises concerns for you, contact 13YARN on 13 92 76 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Read the media releaseThe Child Placement Principle Keeps Children Safe
The National Indigenous Times reported that Aboriginal leaders in Western Australia have called for an urgent roundtable on child and family safety, and for Aboriginal people to lead reform of child protection.
The call followed allegations that child protection authorities in the Pilbara did not act on concerns about children’s safety.
The leaders said Aboriginal grandmothers and senior women are raising concerns about children’s safety and are not being heard or included in decisions.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle is a child safety framework. Its five elements are prevention, partnership, placement, participation and connection.
Children are safer when families get support early and children stay connected to family, kin, community, culture and Country.
SNAICC is calling for governments to support families before crisis, include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in decisions about their children, properly support kinship carers and invest in ACCOs.
Learn more about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle here
Read our media release here