SNAICC in the News – Western Australia’s child protection system
The week of 1 July 2024 media and news stories include coverage of Western Australia’s child protection system, which local organisations and advocates say is failing children and families, particularly in the remote Kimberley region.
According to reports, in the Kimberley, 387 children are in care, all of whom are First Nations. Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, emphasises that the current system is having a devastating impact on families and communities, and notes that the WA Government has yet to finalise its 10-year roadmap to reduce Aboriginal children’s over-representation in out-of-home care, following SNAICC’s recommendations handed over in 2023. Catherine says that a significant portion of funding meant to protect children is instead used to remove them from their families, which evidence shows causes further harm and advocates for shifting investment into early support services and ensuring adequate resources are available to meet the needs of families and children, regardless of their location.
The Coalition of Peaks is seeking community input for a new First Nations Economic Partnership aimed at enhancing employment, training and business opportunities. Community members, organisations and businesses are encouraged to participate by filling out a survey or making a submission before 7 July 2024 to ensure their voices shape the partnership’s priorities and outcomes. Catherine Liddle also met with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretaries Board for discussions on Priority Reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and opportunities to progress implementation.
For complete coverage, read the news and media stories linked below.
Topic: Western Australia’s child protection system
This week, organisations and advocates in northern Western Australia expressed concern about Western Australia’s child protection system, which they say is failing children and families, particularly in the remote Kimberley region.
According to reports, in the Kimberley, 387 children are in care, all of whom are First Nations and the combination of extensive public housing waitlists and mismanaged child protection services creates significant barriers to family reunification. Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, emphasises that the current system is having a devastating impact on families and communities, and notes that the WA Government has yet to finalise its 10-year roadmap to reduce Aboriginal children’s over-representation in out-of-home care, following SNAICC’s recommendations handed over in 2023. Catherine says that a significant portion of funding meant to protect children is instead used to remove them from their families, which evidence shows causes further harm and advocates for shifting investment into early support services and ensuring adequate resources are available to meet the needs of families and children, regardless of their location. She stresses that a child’s postcode in the Kimberley should not determine their likelihood of entering the child protection system.
Gail Dodd from Aboriginal Family Legal Services highlights the difficulties parents face in meeting the system’s stringent requirements for regaining custody, exacerbated by limited access to necessary programs. Auditor General Caroline Spencer’s report, released 27 June, highlights the Department of Communities’ struggle to effectively monitor and deliver early intervention services, noting that resource constraints leave many children without dedicated caseworkers. In response, the Department of Communities highlights reforms, like the Aboriginal Representative Organisations Pilot Program, aimed at providing culturally responsive care and improving early reunification prospects. However, advocates argue more substantial changes are needed to address systemic issues and support vulnerable families adequately.
For full coverage, view the media stories linked below.
Article: Advocates say child protection system ‘destroys families and communities’ in northern WA – ABC News (released 1 July)
Excerpt:
Read the full article“We’re seeing the bulk of dollars that are supposed to be there to protect children going into removing children when all the evidence shows that when you remove children, you harm children,” Ms Liddle said.
“Put the investment into early supports and adequate services into the things that families and children need, regardless of where their community is.
“Your postcode in the Kimberley shouldn’t determine how likely you are to turn up in a child protection system.”
Radio Interview: Catherine Liddle interview (Kimberley Pilbara Mornings) – ABC Radio (released 28 June) (timestamp: 21:20)
Excerpt:
Listen to the full interview“It is built to do what it does at this point in time… it destroys families and it destroys communities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the… most experience at practice and understanding of what is required to keep their family safe and to grow up strong children.”– Catherine Liddle.
Topic: Coalition of Peaks invites community input on a new partnership
The Coalition of Peaks is seeking community input for a new First Nations Economic Partnership aimed at enhancing employment, training and business opportunities.
Through online workshops, surveys and submissions, the Coalition of Peaks is gathering feedback to shape the new First Nations Economic Partnership, which was committed to by the federal government in September last year. Jamie Lowe, chair of the First Nations Economic Partnership Working Group, highlights that the initiative aims to leverage the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to create jobs and sustainable benefits. Catherine Liddle, lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks and CEO of SNAICC, emphasises that this partnership embodies shared decision-making, a core principle of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Catherine stresses that this isn’t just another consultation but a genuine policy partnership where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives collaborate equally with governments.
The new partnership, developed in collaboration with the Commonwealth Treasury, aims to prioritise areas for reform that promote economic justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Community members, organisations and businesses are encouraged to participate by filling out a survey or making a submission before 7 July 2024 to ensure their voices shape the partnership’s priorities and outcomes.
For full coverage, view the media story linked below.
Read the full articleTopic: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretaries Board meeting
Catherine Liddle met with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretaries Board for discussions on Closing the Gap.
The Secretaries Board discussed with Catherine Liddle on Priority Reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and opportunities to progress implementation. The Board also received an update from the National Indigenous Australians Agency on work to develop a Joint Council Response to the Productivity Commission’s three-yearly review into the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The Secretaries Board meets monthly for strategic discussions on significant public policy or administration issues.