Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Inc.
Suite 8, Level 1, 252–260 St Georges Rd, North Fitzroy VICTORIA 3068
Tel: 03 9489 8099 Fax: 03 9489 8044 Email: snaicc@vicnet.net.au Web: www.snaicc.asn.au
SNAICC MEDIA RELEASE
COAG National Child Protection Framework Just the Beginning
April 30th
Steve Larkins, SNAICC Chairperson said today, “ SNAICC has been advocating since 1981
for a national approach to child protection and is pleased that finally in 2009 Australia has a
National Framework for Protecting Australia’s children. How well a nation treats its children
is a measure of the values of that nation. In Australia the well being of children that have
experienced abuse or neglect has been too dependent on what State or Territory they happen
to live in. The framework can start to change that through initiatives like national standards
for out-of-home care.“
Julian Pocock, SNAICC Executive Officer said, “ The framework has some very positive
elements. It includes long term thinking - something governments aren’t always good at -
charting a direction between now and 2020 backed by a series of three year action plans. It
makes an upfront commitment to bring down rates of child abuse and neglect, identifies that
all governments must do more to nurture and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait children,
puts the focus on prevention and includes progress indicators to ensure how well it performs
can be transparently measured.”
However, he added, “ The National Framework is a beginning not the end. It will only make a
difference to the lives of children and young people, if and it’s a big if, long term funding
backs up the long term thinking. Most of the actions listed for the first three years are existing
programs. They need to be evaluated, modified, dispensed with if they not working or scaled
up where they are. The second three year action plan will be the most critical of the three year
plans to the success or failure of the framework and SNAICC expects to be part of the
tripartite arrangements to develop that plan.”
For Additional Media Comments or More Information:
Julian Pocock
SNAICC Executive Officer
email: julian@snaicc.asn.au
mobile: 0419 379 764
ph: 039 489 8099 fax: 039 489 8044
SNAICC: The national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
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