Phone 03 9489 8099 | Fax 03 9489 8044 PO Box 1445, Fitzroy North VIC 3068 familymaters@snaicc.org.au | http://www.familymatters.org.au

16 December 2016

FAMILY MATTERS WELCOMES $20 MILLION WA INVESTMENT INTO PREVENTING ABORIGINAL CHILD REMOVAL BUT CALLS FOR INDIGENOUS IMPLEMENTATION

Perth, Western Australia: Family Matters welcomes the announcement by the Liberal National Government that $20 million will be spent over four years to fund a new pilot program to reduce the number of Aboriginal children removed by child protection authorities. Currently in WA there are 4,700 children living in out-of-home care, 53% of which are Aboriginal even though they make up only 7% of WA's child population – a staggering overrepresentation. Family Matters commends the strategy for recognising that earlier and more intensive engagement is the best way to support families and prevent their children coming into care. However, for this strategy to work, WA Family Matters Working Group Chairperson, Donna Kickett, calls for Aboriginal implementation to ensure its success. "Evidence shows that this engagement must be driven by Aboriginal community controlled services to have any sustainable impact. Our services are demonstrated to be the most effective in engaging with our families in need, and best assisting them to redress the issues impacting their ability to care well for their children. “The child protection reforms say that they are about building Aboriginal service capacity – well, this is the place to start building now! "Distrust of government and the strong cultural capability of our services mean this is simply common sense. We are seeing results of investing in community control across other jurisdictions and the WA Government needs to be on board with this if we are going to see any change for our children and families" says Ms. Kickett. Rolling out from January 2018, this funding is part of the Building Safe and Strong Families: Earlier Intervention and Family Support Strategy, replacing the Stronger Families Program, a program well respected and supported by Aboriginal communities in WA. As such, it is essential that this strategy builds on the success of its predecessor, which prioritised Aboriginal non-governmental advice and service coordination. With work commencing in early 2017 to jointly develop these new services, the Family Matters campaign also emphasises how critical it will be to genuinely consult with Aboriginal service providers and communities – a step which was unfortunately missed in this initial stage.

/ENDS For more information visit: www.familymatters.org.au/ For media enquiries please contact Donna Kickett on: 0458986545

Phone 03 9489 8099 | Fax 03 9489 8044 PO Box 1445, Fitzroy North VIC 3068 familymaters@snaicc.org.au | http://www.familymatters.org.au

About the WA Family Matters Working Group The WA Family Matters Working Group was established on 25 August 2016 to drive a Western Australian strategy to eliminate over-representation of Aboriginal children in out-of- home care, with Donna Kickett appointed as the Chairperson. Donna is a Nyoongar woman from the Njaki Njaki tribe and active leader of her community. She has worked with Aboriginal young people for almost 30 years across many areas. She has had extensive employment working within the Public Sector, both at a State and Commonwealth level. This was focused on education, but most recently, as an Aboriginal Practice Leader with the Department of Child Protection WA. Donna has extensive experience as a trainer of almost 20 years, particularly in the area of Aboriginal Cross Cultural training. She has many achievements, but some of which she is most proud include coordinating the largest career expo involving more than 500 Aboriginal students attending schools in the Swan Education District and coordinating the Maali Models, 10 young Aboriginal women from the Midand region, with one girl reaching the Miss Universe final in 2008. Donna has been a persistent advocate to address the plight of Aboriginal people and the significant adversity that impacts them daily, with particular focus on the alarming increase of Aboriginal children in out of home care. This is an Aboriginal led strategy, with strong support across sectors and regional areas. Initial members and supporters of the group are included below.