AbSec welcomes today’s Joint Statement reaffirming the commitment of governments across Australia to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP). The statement sends a clear message that Aboriginal children and young people must remain connected to their family, community, culture and Country and that these connections are essential to their safety and wellbeing.
“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle exists to safeguard the rights of Aboriginal children, families and communities within the child protection system. It acknowledges that one of the most important protections for the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people is living within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities and addresses the lasting harm caused by generations of government policies that separated Aboriginal children from their families, culture and Country’, says AbSec CEO, John Leha. “In New South Wales, this is not a new aspiration or a future ambition. It is already embedded in legislation, policy and practice. Our collective responsibility is to ensure it is applied consistently, every time, for every Aboriginal child which too often does not happen in practice”
Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOSs) in NSW demonstrate every day that Aboriginal-led solutions deliver better outcomes for children, families and communities. Strengthening the role of ACCOs in prevention, early intervention, family support and case management is critical to turning policy commitments into meaningful change. For instance, it is not good enough that fewer than 1 in 4 Aboriginal children in out-of-home care in NSW have their casework provided by an ACCO.
AbSec encourages governments, agencies and the broader sector to use today’s statement as an opportunity to walk the talk, not just talk. Real progress will come from working in genuine partnership with Aboriginal communities, investing in ACCOs, and ensuring the ATSICPP is applied in full—not only in placement decisions, but across every stage of the child protection system.
AbSec remains committed to working alongside members, partners and governments to ensure every Aboriginal child in NSW has the opportunity to grow up safe, connected to culture, and surrounded by family and community.
