Ministerial Statement

Holding on to Our Future Report

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD (Reynell—Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:07): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: Today, the Holding on to Our Future report was tabled in parliament following the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People's inquiry into the application of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle in the removal and placement of Aboriginal children and young people in South Australia.

I welcome the report and wholeheartedly thank Commissioner Lawrie for her dedication and commitment to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people here in South Australia grow up in the best possible circumstances. Commissioner Lawrie has shone a light on the levels of disadvantage experienced and the despair felt in Aboriginal communities about the high rates of Aboriginal children in contact with the child protection and family support system. I hear what Commissioner Lawrie says, and I share her concern.

The current situation, where 37 per cent of children in care are Aboriginal, is unacceptable. There are multiple and complex factors that contribute to this situation, and across government we are steadfastly committed to the national Closing the Gap targets. All jurisdictions and Aboriginal partners have agreed that reducing over-representation under Closing the Gap target 12 is urgent, requires transformational change and that this can only be achieved through shared commitment and action and through empowering Aboriginal leadership. There is work ahead, but our government is determined to walk alongside Aboriginal people to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people and help ensure they grow up in a safe, loving environment, connected to family, community and culture.

The Holding on to Our Future report sets out 48 findings and 32 comprehensive recommendations detailed across headline recommendations and each element of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle. A number of the themes outlined in the report are the subject of matters considered in our review of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 and are also part of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan and are being actively considered in the wider reform of the child protection and family support system. What is clear is that further effort that privileges the voices of Aboriginal families and communities is required.

It is vital that both systems and staff across the child protection and family support system recognise the importance of Aboriginal-led decision-making and culturally appropriate engagement and practice. This is why our government has committed an additional $13.4 million to family group conferencing and why we are focused on increasing the number of family group conferences held, with particular emphasis on offering more of these conferences to Aboriginal families and ensuring that they are offered when unborn child concerns are raised.

This is why we are providing funding of $3.2 million to establish an independent Aboriginal community-controlled peak body. The design of the peak body is being led by Aboriginal people who are focused on empowering the Aboriginal community to ensure measures are in place to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people. Resourcing a peak body for Aboriginal children and young people is a step that Aboriginal leaders have wanted for some time, and I look forward to walking alongside them as we contemplate this report and its recommendations. Improvements need to be made. The recommendations and findings are far-reaching and are being deeply considered, including in the context of steps already being taken.

Our government will take the appropriate time to consider the recommendations from the report and respond accordingly. As the government finalises its response, it will consider how we can ensure Aboriginal people are empowered to advise how particular recommendations are progressed with the principle of Aboriginal-led decision-making firmly in our hearts, minds and actions. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Commissioner Lawrie to advance positive change that improves the lives of Aboriginal children and their families.

Again, I thank the commissioner and her team for the work that went into this report and for their dedication to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. I thank all who have courageously shared their stories, views and experiences. They will be very carefully listened to as we move forward together.