SNAICC in the News

13–19 June 2026

This week, in a huge win for our sector, the Federal Government confirmed it will extend the Worker Retention Payment for early childhood educators through to June 2028.

Public scrutiny has continued on child protection systems in Queensland and the Northern Territory, where we are calling for better practices, genuine partnership and Aboriginal Family-Led Decision Making to lead the way.

We also announced Living Our Truth as the theme for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day 2026, with Marlee Silva as this year’s Ambassador.

Here is a look at where the conversation has been, 13–19 June 2026.

Worker Retention Payment Extension a Vital Investment in ACCO Early Learning

SNAICC has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to extend the Worker Retention Payment for early childhood and care educators through to June 2028, as the National Indigenous Times and The Sector reported.

The announcement continues the 15 per cent wage increase introduced across the sector.

SNAICC have long said that fairly paid educators are the foundation of high-quality early education and care, and that investing in the workforce is investing in children.

Speaking to the National Indigenous Times, SNAICC’s CEO Catherine Liddle said:

“This announcement acknowledges that fairly paid educators are critical to providing high-quality care and services for children and families,”

“We know that this investment made a huge difference in the everyday lives of ECEC workers across the country, helping to maintain a capable and stable workforce.”

The National Indigenous Times also reported that Catherine Liddle welcomed the certainty the extension gives services to keep experienced educators in the room, particularly for ACCOs.

“Extending this investment is not just sensible, it’s essential and is the type of practical reform that’s necessary in the sector,” she said.

“And when it comes down to it, our educators deserve to be paid in line with the vital role they play in shaping children’s learning, development and wellbeing.”

Blackchat’s Deadly host Lola Forester also gave SNAICC’s message a shout out which was broadcast on Koori Radio and the National Indigenous Radio Service.

For ACCO-led services the impact of the Worker Retention Payment has been direct, helping to keep trusted, qualified educators in the communities that rely on them.

Every eligible ACCO-led service should be able to access the funding.

SNAICC is able to help ACCO early childhood education and care (ECEC) services navigate the process so they can focus to help support and retain ECEC educators.

Services can find details in our Worker Retention Payment Grant FAQs.

Aboriginal Family-Led Decision Making Must Lead Child Protection in the NT 

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle has called for the Northern Territory to replace the Signs of Safety method used in its child protection system, as The Australian reported. 

The reporting highlighted concerns about Signs of Safety, the assessment method used in the case of Kumanjayi Little Baby, which has drawn growing criticism from Aboriginal experts in child protection.  

The framework includes measures meant to involve families and communities, but too often these are not put into practice, because they rely on an overstretched and frequently inexperienced workforce. 

SNAICC did not support the introduction of Signs of Safety in the NT. Early on, we received negative feedback from our stakeholders about its earlier implementation in Western Australia. 

Key among those concerns is that, in practice, it too often remains a department-driven process that can produce culturally uninformed outcomes. 

There is a better way. 

The strength of Aboriginal Family-Led Decision Making is that solutions to child safety concerns are led by a child’s family, community and embedded Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). 

It starts from the understanding that our children are deeply loved and connected, and that those closest to them are best placed to identify solutions. 

Our Summary Evidence Review found that Aboriginal Family-Led Decision Making is associated with increased kinship placements, stronger care planning and improved family relationships. 

In many contexts it also means fewer child removals, reduced court involvement and shorter periods in out-of-home care. 

As the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, SNAICC maintains Aboriginal Family-Led Decision Making should be the default for major child protection decisions. 

That means from early intervention and pregnancy through to ongoing planning, rather than only at crisis points.

Queensland Child Safety Inquiry Findings Continue to Draw Criticism

SNAICC’s response to the Queensland Child Safety Inquiry final report was covered by Croakey Health Media, as the inquiry’s findings continued to draw criticism.

SNAICC has been clear that children and families are not safe in the system as it stands, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in residential and out-of-home care.

Connections to family, community, culture and Country are integral to the best interests of a child, not separate from them.

Any reform must be built in genuine partnership with our people and communities.

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle said:

“Disappointingly, the Report falls very short in its recommendations, many of which contradict the volume of expert and lived experience evidence presented to the Inquiry.”

Catherine Liddle also spoke to the National Indigenous Radio Service’s weekly news review, broadcast on 2XX FM and Koori Radio, about the urgent need to appoint Queensland’s Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children. The delay in the Commissioner’s reappointment creates a degree of uncertainty about whether the role would continue at a time when independent oversight of Queensland’s child protection system is urgently needed.

“Without that voice we have a massive, massive hole. So it is urgent that the government moves on this.”

“It is a massive hole, and a massive toll, at a time when the Commissioner’s voice is vital.”

Earlier this year, SNAICC raised the alarm that Queensland had failed to report critical out-of-home care data to national reporting.

SNAICC stands ready to work in genuine partnership so all Queensland children have a safe and supported future.

Living Our Truth: Marlee Silva to Lead National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day 2026 

SNAICC has welcomed acclaimed writer, podcaster and television presenter Marlee Silva as the 2026 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day Ambassador. 

Lola Forester gave SNAICC a shout out on Blackchat, broadcast on the National Indigenous Radio Service and Koori Radio, recognising the welcome of Marlee Silva as this year’s Ambassador. 

The theme for this year’s celebration, Living Our Truth, and the official poster were shared with services and communities ahead of Children’s Day on 4 August. 

The 2026 theme honours the power of truth-telling, the sharing of ancient knowledge, and the importance of telling our own stories. 

It celebrates today’s children as the next generation of leaders, confident, proud and ready to amplify the strong voice of our families and communities. 

Marlee Silva’s work in national media and as an author gives the theme a particular meaning. 

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle said: 

“Marlee lives healing through truth-telling in her work sharing stories of strength and success about our communities, families and children through her documentaries, books, podcast and in the media.” 

Children’s Day is a celebration of who our children are and the cultures that raise them, and a chance for the whole country to share in that truth: 

“Our truth is that our children are deeply loved. Our truth is that our children are thriving in culture. Our truth is that our children are celebrated for their cultural identity and by their communities that help to raise them.” 

We invite communities, services and families across the country to celebrate with us on 4 August. 

Meanwhile, the team at SGS News shared our announcement of Children’s Day, including important information such as the Children’s Day poster and ways to celebrate. The 2026 poster is available to download now, along with resources to help you celebrate.