The South Australian government will commit $3.2 million towards establishing an independent peak body for Aboriginal children and young people in the state.
The investment follows the tireless advocacy from South Australian Aboriginal communities and organisations who have long called for the establishment of a peak that represents the interests of First Nation children and families.
SNAICC – the national Peak Body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people was engaged last year by the government to support a community-led process to identify a preferred model for the peak body in South Australia.
SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle welcomed the SA Government’s investment in this peak, which will ensure Aboriginal children and families have a say in the laws and policies that impact them.
“SNAICC was commissioned by the SA Government to conduct community consultations around the State about a preferred model and we developed an options paper that reflected the views and wishes of the SA Aboriginal community,” Ms Liddle said.
“It was made very clear through the consultations that a peak body was needed, desired and should be adequately funded to hear, support and represent Aboriginal children, families and organisations working in the sector.
The State Government’s commitment to establish a peak body for Aboriginal children and young people is included in the South Australian implementation plan to support the achievement of Target 12 of Closing the Gap – which seeks to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care by 45% by 2031.
Listen to the interview with SNAICC CEO, Catherine Liddle:
