Latest news with #SNAICC
The Advertiser
03-08-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Indigenous children's commissioner to begin urgent work
Overrepresented in the out-of-home care and justice systems, Indigenous children will for the first time have a commissioner to represent their rights. Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman Sue-Anne Hunter has been appointed Australia's first National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. She said it's an honour to accept the responsibility to protect the wellbeing, rights, and interests of Indigenous children and young people. "The work is urgent and the statistics are grim. But our children are not statistics, they are our future," she said. "This role will elevate their voices and their concerns. They will be at the centre of everything I do." Ms Hunter has a background in the family services sector, including work at the peak body for Indigenous children, SNAICC, as well as at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and as a frontline social worker. Most recently she was a commissioner and deputy chair of the Yoorook Justice Commission. Ms Hunter will replace Lil Gordon who has performed the role of acting commissioner since January. Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy thanked Ms Gordon for her service, saying she was looking forward to working with Ms Hunter. "Sue-Anne Hunter will be a fierce advocate for First Nations children and young people as Commissioner," she said. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are over 10 times more likely to be in out-of-home care compared with non-Indigenous children, and 27 times more likely to be in youth detention. Recent data shows efforts to reduce the overrepresentation of First Nations children in out-of-home-care are going backwards. Through her role as commissioner, Ms Hunter will hear from children and young people on issues that directly affect them, and drive change to dismantle the barriers they face. "I recognise that we are at risk of losing another generation to systems that fail them, to removal, out-of-home care, detention and a bleak future," she said. Ms Hunter's appointment comes in time for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day on Monday. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the day is a reminder that more work needs to be done to ensure all children have the same opportunities. "First Nations children and young people are the heirs to 65,000 years of continuous culture and heritage," she said. "We must ensure they can grow up connected to their family, community, culture, and Country." Overrepresented in the out-of-home care and justice systems, Indigenous children will for the first time have a commissioner to represent their rights. Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman Sue-Anne Hunter has been appointed Australia's first National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. She said it's an honour to accept the responsibility to protect the wellbeing, rights, and interests of Indigenous children and young people. "The work is urgent and the statistics are grim. But our children are not statistics, they are our future," she said. "This role will elevate their voices and their concerns. They will be at the centre of everything I do." Ms Hunter has a background in the family services sector, including work at the peak body for Indigenous children, SNAICC, as well as at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and as a frontline social worker. Most recently she was a commissioner and deputy chair of the Yoorook Justice Commission. Ms Hunter will replace Lil Gordon who has performed the role of acting commissioner since January. Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy thanked Ms Gordon for her service, saying she was looking forward to working with Ms Hunter. "Sue-Anne Hunter will be a fierce advocate for First Nations children and young people as Commissioner," she said. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are over 10 times more likely to be in out-of-home care compared with non-Indigenous children, and 27 times more likely to be in youth detention. Recent data shows efforts to reduce the overrepresentation of First Nations children in out-of-home-care are going backwards. Through her role as commissioner, Ms Hunter will hear from children and young people on issues that directly affect them, and drive change to dismantle the barriers they face. "I recognise that we are at risk of losing another generation to systems that fail them, to removal, out-of-home care, detention and a bleak future," she said. Ms Hunter's appointment comes in time for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day on Monday. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the day is a reminder that more work needs to be done to ensure all children have the same opportunities. "First Nations children and young people are the heirs to 65,000 years of continuous culture and heritage," she said. "We must ensure they can grow up connected to their family, community, culture, and Country." Overrepresented in the out-of-home care and justice systems, Indigenous children will for the first time have a commissioner to represent their rights. Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman Sue-Anne Hunter has been appointed Australia's first National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. She said it's an honour to accept the responsibility to protect the wellbeing, rights, and interests of Indigenous children and young people. "The work is urgent and the statistics are grim. But our children are not statistics, they are our future," she said. "This role will elevate their voices and their concerns. They will be at the centre of everything I do." Ms Hunter has a background in the family services sector, including work at the peak body for Indigenous children, SNAICC, as well as at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and as a frontline social worker. Most recently she was a commissioner and deputy chair of the Yoorook Justice Commission. Ms Hunter will replace Lil Gordon who has performed the role of acting commissioner since January. Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy thanked Ms Gordon for her service, saying she was looking forward to working with Ms Hunter. "Sue-Anne Hunter will be a fierce advocate for First Nations children and young people as Commissioner," she said. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are over 10 times more likely to be in out-of-home care compared with non-Indigenous children, and 27 times more likely to be in youth detention. Recent data shows efforts to reduce the overrepresentation of First Nations children in out-of-home-care are going backwards. Through her role as commissioner, Ms Hunter will hear from children and young people on issues that directly affect them, and drive change to dismantle the barriers they face. "I recognise that we are at risk of losing another generation to systems that fail them, to removal, out-of-home care, detention and a bleak future," she said. Ms Hunter's appointment comes in time for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day on Monday. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the day is a reminder that more work needs to be done to ensure all children have the same opportunities. "First Nations children and young people are the heirs to 65,000 years of continuous culture and heritage," she said. "We must ensure they can grow up connected to their family, community, culture, and Country." Overrepresented in the out-of-home care and justice systems, Indigenous children will for the first time have a commissioner to represent their rights. Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman Sue-Anne Hunter has been appointed Australia's first National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. She said it's an honour to accept the responsibility to protect the wellbeing, rights, and interests of Indigenous children and young people. "The work is urgent and the statistics are grim. But our children are not statistics, they are our future," she said. "This role will elevate their voices and their concerns. They will be at the centre of everything I do." Ms Hunter has a background in the family services sector, including work at the peak body for Indigenous children, SNAICC, as well as at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and as a frontline social worker. Most recently she was a commissioner and deputy chair of the Yoorook Justice Commission. Ms Hunter will replace Lil Gordon who has performed the role of acting commissioner since January. Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy thanked Ms Gordon for her service, saying she was looking forward to working with Ms Hunter. "Sue-Anne Hunter will be a fierce advocate for First Nations children and young people as Commissioner," she said. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are over 10 times more likely to be in out-of-home care compared with non-Indigenous children, and 27 times more likely to be in youth detention. Recent data shows efforts to reduce the overrepresentation of First Nations children in out-of-home-care are going backwards. Through her role as commissioner, Ms Hunter will hear from children and young people on issues that directly affect them, and drive change to dismantle the barriers they face. "I recognise that we are at risk of losing another generation to systems that fail them, to removal, out-of-home care, detention and a bleak future," she said. Ms Hunter's appointment comes in time for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day on Monday. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the day is a reminder that more work needs to be done to ensure all children have the same opportunities. "First Nations children and young people are the heirs to 65,000 years of continuous culture and heritage," she said. "We must ensure they can grow up connected to their family, community, culture, and Country."
Perth Now
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Indigenous children's commissioner to begin urgent work
Overrepresented in the out-of-home care and justice systems, Indigenous children will for the first time have a commissioner to represent their rights. Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman Sue-Anne Hunter has been appointed Australia's first National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. She said it's an honour to accept the responsibility to protect the wellbeing, rights, and interests of Indigenous children and young people. "The work is urgent and the statistics are grim. But our children are not statistics, they are our future," she said. "This role will elevate their voices and their concerns. They will be at the centre of everything I do." Ms Hunter has a background in the family services sector, including work at the peak body for Indigenous children, SNAICC, as well as at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and as a frontline social worker. Most recently she was a commissioner and deputy chair of the Yoorook Justice Commission. Ms Hunter will replace Lil Gordon who has performed the role of acting commissioner since January. Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy thanked Ms Gordon for her service, saying she was looking forward to working with Ms Hunter. "Sue-Anne Hunter will be a fierce advocate for First Nations children and young people as Commissioner," she said. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are over 10 times more likely to be in out-of-home care compared with non-Indigenous children, and 27 times more likely to be in youth detention. Recent data shows efforts to reduce the overrepresentation of First Nations children in out-of-home-care are going backwards. Through her role as commissioner, Ms Hunter will hear from children and young people on issues that directly affect them, and drive change to dismantle the barriers they face. "I recognise that we are at risk of losing another generation to systems that fail them, to removal, out-of-home care, detention and a bleak future," she said. Ms Hunter's appointment comes in time for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day on Monday. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the day is a reminder that more work needs to be done to ensure all children have the same opportunities. "First Nations children and young people are the heirs to 65,000 years of continuous culture and heritage," she said. "We must ensure they can grow up connected to their family, community, culture, and Country."
SBS Australia
31-07-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Closing the gap targets failing to improve childhood development, reduce suicide rates
New data shows "significant deserts" and service gaps are contributing to worsening rates of incarceration and childhood development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Just four of the 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track to be met, according to the latest data from the Productivity Commission. But key targets, including adult imprisonment rates, children in out-of-home care, suicide and childhood development, are continuing to worsen. The report comes as the number of First Nations people who have died in police or prison custody exceeds 600 deaths since a landmark royal commission handed down recommendations in 1991. Productivity commissioner Selwyn Button said the review shows the outcomes of the agreement are falling well short of what governments have committed to. The review found Indigenous community-controlled organisations are key to progress, and governments must listen to First Nations people and share decision-making power to create positive change. "What the outcomes in the agreement reflect most of all is the limited progress of governments in collectively acting on the priority reforms: sharing decision making and data with communities; strengthening the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector and changing the way governments operate," he said. Catherine Liddle, the CEO of peak Aboriginal advocacy body SNAICC, told Radio National the four improving targets are ones "the government truly committed to". These targets are preschool program enrolments, employment, and land and sea native title and legal rights. She said the government needs to "lean in and try harder" to address "significant deserts and gaps" in social services. In particular, early childhood support needs to see improvement, she said, as preschool enrolments have a limited effect if children aren't prepared for school. Only 33.9 per cent of children starting school were developmentally on track, a decrease from previous years. The report also found that more than one-third of kids in youth detention last year first entered the system when they were 10–13 years old. — With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press Readers seeking crisis support can ring Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25). More information and support with mental health is available at and on 1300 22 4636.
SBS Australia
01-05-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
What are First Nations voters looking for in this election?
In the last election, talk of First Nations affairs was everywhere – with Labor's campaign featuring the promised implementation of the reforms described in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The first step was Voice, a constitutionally enshrined advisory body on First Nations affairs. While Labor did keep their promise to hold the referendum, it was defeated in late 2023. Since then, the major parties have taken a different approach to addressing First Nations affairs in their election campaigns. 'It's been completely absent from any of the campaigning from both sides of the major parties, and that's quite deliberate. They're both steering away from it because they don't want the failure of the referendum tarnishing any of their potential chances. Labor has seemingly walked away from the Uluru Statement from the Heart, there's been no mention of Truth or Treaty. The Coalition's response, there has been an assumption that the Australian public does not support Indigenous rights.' That's Dr Bartholomew Stanford, a Torres Strait Islander man from Masig Island and senior lecturer in Indigenous Studies at James Cook University. Labor has pivoted to economic policies, preferencing reforms for programs to increase employment and Commonwealth procurement, funding for First Nations environmental ranger programs and general policy, such as an increase in urgent care clinics. The Coalition's core Indigenous policy is a promise to audit Indigenous expenditure, and address what they call 'wasteful spending'. They have created a new role for 'government efficiency', reflecting moves by the Trump administration in the United States. Dr Stanford believes both sides of government have failed to address key issues affecting First Nations people and fulfilling Indigenous rights – including not implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 'Australia's falling well behind other settler nations and is not meeting basic international standards, which is really undermining any genuine attempts at reconciliation in our country while also tearing at the fabric of Australia's national identity.' These tensions can make election time stressful for First Nations communities and community-controlled organisations, says Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC - a leading organisation for First Nations children and families. 'What we are interested in is policies that make a difference, policies that show that governments are actually doing what they need to do and that is listening to communities. We know that come election times, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people it's often a really anxious time because we know that the conversations and policies often become a quick race to the bottom.' First Nations communities experience distinct challenges that are often overlooked by policy, as reflected in the reporting from Closing the Gap - which does find that only four out of 19 targets are on track (SNAICC 2025). It's yet another source of frustration and anxiety for First Nations voters. Meanwhile the Australian Electoral Commission has started to send out mobile polling teams, who go to almost 500 remote communities across Australia – many are First Nations communities. One of these communities is Pirlangimpi, in the Tiwi Islands at the top of Australia. Like many remote communities, they face challenges such as over-crowded housing, limited access to health services, and badly maintained infrastructure like roads. NITV's Josh Van Staden travelled to the Tiwis to look into the issues for these communities. He spoke to community members who still advocate for voting. Vox 1 'But it's good for us to vote, because then we can hear about what's going on..." Vox 2 "What is going to happen." Vox 3 "What needs to be done and ..." Vox 1 "Yeah what needs to be done.' ]] Pirlangimpi sits in the seat of Lingiari, an electorate named after a trailblazer for Indigenous land rights – Vincent Lingiari. It's an electorate that spans the majority of the Northern Territory, it is also the electorate with the highest proportion of First Nations voters. The seat is currently held by Marion Scrymgour, a Tiwi and Anmatjere woman and Labor member. When interviewed by Karla Grant for NITV's Living Black this month, Ms Scrymgour said her constituents were devastated by the result of the referendum and would advocate for Truth and Treaty. MS: 'And they wanted to be able to say to governments 'let us drive this policy debate and let us be able to make the decisions and to work with the government to get better outcomes for our communities'.' KG: 'So what do you say that a re-elected government should do about Treaty and Truth-telling?' MS: 'Y'know Karla it's not up to me to say as a re-elected government but certainly as a re-elected member in Lingiari, I will do everything I can as the local member to elevate those voices.' While Dr Stanford welcomes the support for Truth and Treaty from Ms Scrymgour, he also cautions voters to consider whether parties are likely to support the values of their local members when it comes to First Nations Affairs. He also says this same critical thinking should be applied to voting for minor party and independent candidates. Ms Liddle also provides some advice for voters for election day and into the next term of parliament. 'One of the beautiful things about elections is that, it doesn't matter who you vote for, that you can use your voice. And you have the ability to lean into whoever you're going to vote for and say 'Behave better. You are politicians, you have incredible structural and institutional power'. So urge your politicians to step up. That is investing in the policies that make a fairer and more equitable society for all Australians.'
