SNAICC in the News | 24 April 2026

This week, CEO Catherine Liddle’s evidence to the Thriving Kids inquiry was cited in the Insight+ medical journal as Health Minister Mark Butler unveiled major NDIS changes, SNAICC’s A Place for Culture program was highlighted on Koori Radio’s Black Chat, and the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership meet on Palawa Country.  

Here is a look at where the conversation has been, 18–24 April 2026.

Thriving Kids a Medicare Moment for Our Children 

Evidence from SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle to the parliamentary inquiry into Thriving Kids was cited in the Insight+ medical journal this week, as debate intensified over proposed changes being developed alongside the Australian Government’s NDIS overhaul. The article covered SNAICC’s submission that Thriving Kids could represent generational change — “a Medicare moment” — but only if it’s done right.  

This week, the Hon Mark Butler MP Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme announced the biggest set of changes to the NDIS since it began, including tighter eligibility rules and a plan to shift some children with developmental delay and autism to supports outside the scheme. Thriving Kids is the model the Australian Government is designing as that pathway. 

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, not getting this right could have huge impacts. Developmental vulnerability is disproportionately high in our communities, and too many of our children start school with needs that have been misunderstood, misdiagnosed or missed entirely. A well-designed Thriving Kids model could, for the first time, disproportionately help our children. 

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle told the parliamentary committee hearing on Thriving Kids in November: 

“This is an incredible moment of reform and if we get it right, this will be a Medicare moment for our children.”

“I am also really clear that if we get it wrong, these incredible reforms that everyone has been working on may be shattered into pieces.”

You can watch Catherine’s evidence here or read our submission here. 

For our children, that first touchpoint must be culturally safe and grounded — an ACCO playgroup, early learning centre or child and family hub where educators already know and support the child and family. 

A Place for Culture Featured on Koori Radio’s Black Chat 

SNAICC’s A Place for Culture professional learning program was mentioned on Koori Radio’s Black Chat this week, with host Lola describing it as “not one to miss.”

The endorsement speaks to something we already know: when non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators are supported to build genuinely culturally responsive learning environments, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families feel it.  

A Place for Culture is our free professional learning program for educators in early childhood education and care, funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.  

It is not compliance training. It is the kind of shift in practice that changes what a child experiences when they walk through the door. 

Demand has reflected that.  

Twelve workshops are running across Australia throughout 2026, with enrolments capped at three participants per organisation to ensure the learning goes deep.  

The Naarm/Melbourne and Djilang/Geelong workshops are already full — waiting lists are open for both.  

Places remain for Gadigal Country/Sydney on 16 June, Tharawal Country/Wollongong on 18 June, Kaurna Yerta/Tarntanya/Adelaide on 30 June and Kaurna Yerta/Yartapuulti/Port Adelaide on 1 July.  

Workshops in Boorloo/Perth, Gimuy/Cairns, Meanjin/Brisbane and Canberra follow later in the year, with expressions of interest now open. 

ECCDPP Advances ACCO Funding, Early Years Integration and Thriving Kids Design 

SNAICC co-chaired the 13th meeting of the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership (ECCDPP) on Palawa Country in Lutruwita/Tasmania, focusing on ACCO funding, early years integration, Thriving Kids design and data sovereignty. 

The Department of Social Services outlined work to increase funding for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) child and family services, following the release of its consultation report.  

During the meetings, the discussions focused on  

• Thriving Kids reforms 
• Progress research on ACCO funding models, with recommendations to be taken to the Joint Council on Closing the Gap. 
• Agreed to focus on identifying priority gaps in data and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-led use of the data.  

The ECCDPP is a partnership, part of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, designed to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander communities to develop a shared decision making and co-design to improve early childhood outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.  

Since the partnership was established in 2022, the Co-Secretariat has supported thirteen national meetings, developed shared policy advice and commissioned research, guided by culturally safe processes and genuine collaboration across jurisdictions. 

That work has helped establish the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, and drive the Australian Government’s childcare reforms to increase access to subsidised early childhood education and care. 

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle said: 

“The ECCDPP shows what is possible when solutions are co-designed and co-delivered with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This is government working differently, and it is how we deliver sustained outcomes for our children.”