Family Matters SUBMISSION...Family Matters – Strong communities. Strong culture. Stronger...
Transcript of Family Matters SUBMISSION...Family Matters – Strong communities. Strong culture. Stronger...
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FamilyMatters
SUBMISSIONTOTHE2017-18FEDERALBUDGET
FamilyMatters–Strongcommunities.Strongculture.Strongerchildren.
ABOUTFAMILYMATTERS
FamilyMatters–StrongCommunities.StrongCulture.StrongerChildren.isAustralia’snationalcampaigntoensureAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenandyoungpeoplegrowupsafeandcaredforinfamily,communityandculture.
FamilyMattersaimstoeliminatetheover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecareby2040.
FamilyMattersisledbySNAICC–NationalVoiceforourChildren(SNAICC)andissupportedbyaStrategicAllianceofover150AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderandnon-Indigenousorganisations,leadingacademicsandprominenteducationalinstitutions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TheFamilyMattersSubmissiontothe2017-18FederalBudgetwasdevelopedwithleadershipfromSNAICC–NationalVoiceforourChildrenandSavetheChildrenAustralia,incloseconsultationwiththecampaign’snationalPolicy&AdvocacyWorkingGroup.
SNAICCandtheFamilyMattersCo-Chairswouldliketoacknowledgethedepthofknowledge,researchexpertiseandstrategicadvicecontributedtothissubmissionbyallmembersoftheFamilyMattersPolicy&AdvocacyWorkingGroupandbymembersofthecampaign’snationalsteeringcommittee,theChampionsGroup.
FrontCoverPhotography:WayneQuilliam
Forfurtherinformation,pleasecontact:
FamilyMatters,c/oSNAICC–NationalVoiceforourChildren
2017–18FederalBudgetSubmission3
INTRODUCTION
FamilyMatters–StrongCommunities.StrongCulture.StrongerChildren.bringstogetherthecollectivevoiceofAustralianorganisations,academicsandleaderswhoaredistressedatthepersistentandescalatingpooroutcomesforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenacrossourcountry.ThefailuretopromoteandprotecttherightsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenishighlightedstarklyintheir9.5timesandgrowingover-representationinAustralia’schildprotectionsystems.Thisover-representationreflectsbroaderrealitiesofpoverty,discriminationandinter-generationaltraumathatareimpactingourchildrenandthefamiliesandcommunitiesthatcareforthem.Systems,servicesandavailablesupportsarefailingourchildrenasevidencedbyacontextwhereyoungAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenaretwiceaslikelytobedevelopmentallyvulnerableasnon-Indigenouschildrenandfarlesslikelytoaccessuniversalandpreventiveservicesthatcouldaddressissuesandsupporttheirpotential.1
AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenhavetherighttogrowupinnurturingandsafeenvironmentswiththeloveandsupportoftheirfamiliesandcommunities,groundedinandproudoftheirculturalidentityandrichculturalheritage.AlltheevidencesuggeststhattoachievethisweneedtoaddresstherootcausesofchildprotectioninterventionforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenbytakingactiontohealandstrengthenfamiliesandcommunities.FamilyMattershascompletedareviewoftheevidenceandextensiveconsultationwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople,governmentsandthenon-governmentsectortocreateaRoadmapforchangethatcouldprovideourchildrenwiththeopportunitytothrive.TheFamilyMattersRoadmapcallsforactiontoprogressfourevidence-basedbuildingblocksforchange:
1. Allfamiliesenjoyaccesstoquality,culturallysafe,universalandtargetedservicesnecessaryforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrentothrive
2. AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleandorganisationsparticipateinandhavecontroloverdecisionsthataffecttheirchildren
3. Law,policyandpracticeinchildandfamilywelfareareculturallysafeandresponsive
4. GovernmentsandservicesareaccountabletoAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople
Thebudgetproposalsinthissubmissioncallforsubstantialshorttomedium-terminvestmenttoimplementthesepriorities–tostrengthenourfamiliesandcommunities,supportourchildren,andarresttheescalatingover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecare.WecallfornationalandaccountablestrategiestobeimplementedbythefederalgovernmentinpartnershipwithstatesandterritoriesandAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople.Thoughtheinitialinvestmentrequiredissignificant,thissubmissionarguesstronglyandpresentstheevidencethatthefuturebenefitsforoursocietyandcostsavingsfromthereducedprovisionoflifelongremedialservicesarefargreaterthanthecosts–thereisbothamoralandeconomicimperativetoactnow.
FamilyMatters–Strongcommunities.Strongculture.Strongerchildren.4
BUDGETPROPOSALS
1.ACOAGTARGETANDNATIONALSTRATEGYTOADDRESSOVER-REPRESENTATION
Thepersistent,escalatingrateofremovalofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenintoout-of-homecareisanationalcrisisthatrequiresaclearandconcertednationalresponse.Whilechildprotectionisprimarilyastateresponsibility,thefederalgovernmenthasresponsibilityandcapacitytosupporteffortstoaddresstherootcausesofchildremoval.Thefederalgovernmentalsobearssignificantcostsoflaterlifehealthandwell-beingissuesassociatedwithchildabuse,neglectandexperiencesofout-of-homecare.TheCoalitionofAustralianGovernments(COAG)hasalreadytakenastrongroleinchildprotectionwithpreventivefocusthroughitscarriageoftheNationalFrameworkforProtectingAustralia’sChildren2009-2020.
Whentheground-breakingBringingThemHomereportintotheStolenGenerationswasreleasedin1997,nearly20yearsago,mainstreamAustraliawasshockedtolearnthatAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenrepresented20percentofchildrenlivinginout-of-homecare.Now,in2016,theyareover35percent.2Despitenumerouslegalandpolicyframeworksdesignedtoadvancesafety,andfamilyandculturalconnectionsforchildren,therateofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecareisnowalmosttentimesthatofotherchildren,andcontinuestogrow.ProjectionsdevelopedbytheUniversityofMelbournein2016(Figure1)showthatthepopulationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecarewilltripleinthenext20yearsifnothingisdonetointerruptcurrenttrajectories.
2017–18FederalBudgetSubmission5
Figure1:Populationgrowthtrajectoriesofchildreninout-of-homecareinAustraliabyIndigenousstatus3
TheoutcomesdeliveredbychildprotectionsystemsacrossAustraliaarealarminglypoorforchildrenandfamilies,andareachievedatsignificantandincreasingfinancialandsocialcost.RecurrentexpenditureonchildprotectionandfamilysupportservicesinAustraliahasreached$4.3billion,ofwhich$3.6billionisspentonstatutorychildprotectionandout-of-homecare.4Thisexpenditurehasincreasedbyanaverageof3.8percentperyear,andatotalof$472millionoverthelast4years.Thecostsofthissystemaremuchgreaterhowever,withchildreninout-of-homecaremuchmorelikelytoexperiencepoorerhealth,depression,violenceandsuicideovertheirlives;beimprisoned;sufferfromalcoholabuseandgamblingaddiction,andarelesslikelytohavetrustingrelationships,healthyparentingmodels,andaccesstoeducationandeconomicopportunities.Impactsalsoricochetthroughfamiliesthroughourhealth,education,welfareandjusticesystems.Costbenefitanalysesdemonstratethatimprovingchildsafetyandrectifyingtheseincreasingandunsustainablegovernmentcostsarebestachievedthroughredressingthecausesofchildremoval,andinvestingearlytobettersupportat-riskchildrenandtheirfamilies.5
Politicalrecognitionofandcommitmenttotheurgentneedtoredressthisover-representationhasgrownsignificantlyatbothstate,territory,federalandCOAGlevelsoverrecenttimes.InJune2016stateandterritoryChildandFamiliesMinistersfromacrossAustraliametandsignaledtheirintenttotakenationalactionandseekCOAGsupport,statingintheircommuniquéof24June,“ChildrenandFamiliesMinistersagreedtopursuenationalactiontoaddresstheover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecare…MinisterswillworkthroughFirstMinisterstoseekconsiderationoftheseissuesatCOAGasapriorityfornationalreform.”6TheDecember2016meeting
FamilyMatters–Strongcommunities.Strongculture.Strongerchildren.6
ofCOAGaddressedtheissuedirectly,withitscommuniquéstatingthat,“Leadersdiscussedthecriticalimportanceofearlyinterventioneffortstoreducetheflowofchildrenintothesystemaswellasthebenefitsofbetterinformationsharingandidentifyingopportunitiestoreducetheover-representationofIndigenouschildren.”7Throughout2016,theFamilyMattersStatementofCommitment8toworktowardseliminatingover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecarewassignedby29stateandfederalpoliticians,88non-governmentorganisations,and6children’scommissionersorchildguardians.Politicianssigningthestatementincludedfederalgovernmentministers,federalgovernmentandoppositionMPsandsenators,statechildrenandfamiliesministersandfederalcross-benchsenators–demonstratingbroad,non-partisansupportforactiononthisissue.
EvidencecallsforanintegratedstrategythatredressesthecausesofIndigenouschildremoval.Thesecoverareasofbothfederalandstatepowers,including:familysupport;inadequatehousingandhomelessness;socialsecurity;familyviolence;drugandalcoholmisuse;healthandmentalhealth;earlychildhoodeducationandcare;andchildprotection.Strategiesmustincludepublicmeasuresofaccountability,whichareessentialtoolstodriveintraandinter-governmentfocus,resourcingandmonitoringofoutcomes.Whileasignificantcomponentofimplementationforthestrategywillneedtobeledbystatesandterritories,federalleadershipandinvestmentinarangeofneworsustainedinitiativesacrosstheseareaswillbecritical.Recommendationsforafederalearlyintervention,preventionandreunificationinitiativeareincludedseparatelyinproposal2below.
ToimplementaCOAGtargetandstrategytoeliminatetheover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecareresourceswillberequiredatthefederallevelfor:
• thedevelopmentofthetarget,strategy,andoutcomesmeasures;• nationalcoordinationofimplementationeffortsbytheAustralianGovernmentwithSecretariat
supportprovidedbytheDepartmentofPrimeMinisterandCabinetandtheDepartmentofSocialServices;
• ongoingconsultationwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderleadersandpeakorganisationsonthedevelopmentanddeliveryofthestrategy;
• publicreportingofprogressandoutcomes;• additionalresourcesfortargetedfamilyandcommunitystrengtheninginitiativesasreferenced
inproposal2below.
RECOMMENDATION1:
Developandimplementacomprehensive,adequatelyresourcednationalstrategyandtarget,developedinpartnershipwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoples,toeliminatetheover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecare.
BUDGETIMPACT:
TheCommonwealthcommittoprovide$40millionoverfouryearstofundanewNationalPartnershipAgreementbetweenallStatesandTerritoriestoeliminatetheover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecare.
2017–18FederalBudgetSubmission7
2.ANATIONALABORIGINALANDTORRESSTRAITISLANDEREARLYINTERVENTION,PREVENTIONANDREUNIFICATIONPROGRAM
Australianandinternationalevidencehasdemonstratedtheenormouspotentialdownstreamsocialandeconomiccostbenefitsofearlyinterventionsupportsthatpreventfamilybreakdownandensurechildrencanstaysafelyinthecareoftheirfamilies.Healthandwell-beingbenefitsofpreventiveservicedeliverycutacrossabroadrangeoffederalandstateportfolios.In2015theAustralianResearchAllianceforChildrenandYouth(ARACY)completedacomprehensivereviewofevidenceoncostbenefitsofearlyintervention,concludingthat,
“Inadditiontobeingcrucialtochildren’sdevelopmentaltrajectories,itisclearthatinvestmentsintheearlyyearsandinpreventionandearlyinterventionmorebroadlyyieldsignificantfinancialreturns.Thereturnoninvestmentforpreventionandearlyinterventionisconsistentlygreaterthancostlyremedialresponses;preventativeinvestmentreducesdownstreamexpenditureonremedialeducation,schoolfailure,poorhealth,mentalillness,welfarerecipiency,substancemisuseandcriminaljustice.”9
TheARACY(2015)studycitesmultiplecost/benefitanalyseswithfindingsincludingthata7.35percentincreaseinGDPcouldbeachievedover60yearsbyreducingchildvulnerability;10andthatAustraliaincursacostof$245,000perchildat2011ratesforeachnewsubstantiationofchildmaltreatment.11A2006studyofacohortof1150Australianswhowereinout-of-homecarefoundtotalcoststogovernmentofjustover$2billionacrosstheirlifetimeswiththehighestcostareasincludingfamilyservices($190m),incomesupport($76m)andhousingsupport($67m).12Studiesoftheeconomicbenefitsofearlyinterventionprogramsaremoreadvancedinternationally,where,forexample,intheUnitedStatesastudyhasshownthattheimplementationoffourevidence-basedfamilysupportprogramsyieldsabenefittocostratioof4.31to1.13
Whileaneffectiveuniversalservicesystemaddressingcoreservices–includinghealth,educationandearlychildhood–iscriticaltosupportvulnerablefamilies,researchdescribesthatthemostvulnerablefamiliesareleastlikelytoaccessavailableservices.Torespondtoneedsforvulnerablefamilies,targetedapproachesthataddresstheirspecificandcomplexneedsandtargetedclientengagementstrategiesarecritical.Evidenceisalsoclearthatthegreatesteconomicandsocialreturnsoninvestmentcomefromprogramstargetedtovulnerablepopulations,especiallythosetargetedearlyinthelifecycle.14ForAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderfamilies,serviceaccessissuesarecompoundedbythelackofservicesthatareculturallyappropriateoradaptedtotheirspecificcircumstances15–reflectedintheirunder-utilisationofmainstreampreventiveservices.
FamilyMatters–Strongcommunities.Strongculture.Strongerchildren.8
DespiteAustralia-wideendorsementofapublichealthmodelforchildsafetythatwouldincreasetheuseofpreventiveapproaches,83percentofthe$4.34billionchildprotectionbudgetremainstargetedatthetertiaryendofthespectrum,childprotectionandout-of-homecare.16Australiaisinfactmovingbackwardswithinvestmentinfamilysupportservicesforvulnerablefamiliesdecreasingfrom19.2percentto16.6percentoftotalchildprotectionexpenditureover2011-12to2014-15.17AsillustratedinFigure2,weareinvestinginrespondingtoincidentsthatplacechildrenatrisk,ratherthanpreventingthemfromhappeninginthefirstplace.
Figure2–RealrecurrentexpenditureonchildprotectioninAustralia,2014-1518
Givenwidespreadfailurestoinvestadequatelyinearlyinterventionandthelackofculturallyappropriateservices,itisunsurprisingthatonly1.4percentofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenonaverageaccessedanintensivefamilysupportserviceacrossAustraliain2012-14(Figure3),19ascomparedto14.6percentofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenwhoreceivedachildprotectionservicein2014-15,20asillustratedinFigure3.
2017–18FederalBudgetSubmission9
Figure3–PercentageofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrencommencinganIntensiveFamilySupportService,2012-1421
TogetherthisevidenceclearlyindicatesthatatthecoreofaresponsetoAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderover-representationistheincreasedprovisionoftargetedandculturallyappropriatefamilyservicesthatinterveneearly.Internationalresearchhasdeterminedconclusivelythatarangeofevidence-basedearlyinterventionandpreventionprogramsdeliversignificantsocialandcostbenefitreturnsoninvestmentandshowstrongpotentialtoinformAustralianfamilysupportapproaches.Forexample,theSafeCareparentingsupportprogramhasbeenimplementedandextensivelyresearchedintheUnitedStates,withastudyinLosAngelesshowingthat85percentoffamilieshadnofurtherreportsofchildabuse36monthsfollowingtheintervention.22InNewYork,theNewYorkFoundlingisimplementingFamilyFunctionalTherapythroughChildWelfare(FFT-CW),aprogramthatextendsthestronglyevidence-basedFamilyFunctionalTherapymodeltoprovidetargetedsupportforfamiliestoaddressissuesthatleadtochildprotectionintervention.ApilotstudyofFFT-CWinNewYorkin2010-11foundthat71percentofhighriskfamiliesmetalltreatmentgoals,55percentofhighriskcaseswereclosedwithin6monthsandonly2percentoffamiliesrequiredanout-of-homecareplacement.23IfthesekindsofresultscouldbereplicatedinAustralia,thesocialbenefitsandcostsavingsforoursocietywouldbeenormous.
However,Internationalevidence-basedprogramswillstillfailtoengageandmeettheneedsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderfamilieswheretheyarenotadaptedtolocalcultureandcontext.24SNAICC–NationalVoiceforourChildren(SNAICC)hasundertakenresearchsupportedbytheAustralianGovernmentDepartmentofSocialServicesundertheNationalResearchAgendaforProtectingAustralia’sChildrenwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderserviceprovidersdeliveringintensiveandtargetedfamilysupportprogramswhichhasshowntheelementsofsupportprogramsthatarebeingadaptedtomeettheneedsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenandfamilies.25The2-yearresearchprojectacrossfourjurisdictionsconductedincollaborationwithGriffithUniversityfoundthattheAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderserviceswereeffectively
FamilyMatters–Strongcommunities.Strongculture.Strongerchildren.10
engagingAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderfamiliesandoperatingatahighlevelofqualitywith“skilledandexperiencedstaffsupportedbygoodsupervisionandmanagement,withstrongteamfunctioning.”26Servicesinthestudywereengagingfamiliesinhelpfulandconstructivewaystodevelopcleargoalsthataddressedtheunderlyingcausesofchildprotectionintervention.27Importantly,theresearchfoundthatadaptationofevidence-basedfamilysupportapproachesforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitieswasshowingsuccessandthatIndigenousleadershipwasintegraltothatsuccess–concludingthat:
“TheresearchdemonstratesthecapacityofservicestoadaptthecoreelementsofbestpracticeforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderfamilies.Providingservicesinculturallycompetentandrespectfulwayswasintrinsictotheservices.TheirstandingasAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunityserviceswasimportanttoengagementandtake-up…ThevalueliesintheservicesbeingdeliveredbyAboriginalcommunity-controlledagenciesastheseentitiesareframedbythephilosophythatcommunityownstheservice,that‘itisourservice,forourcommunity.’”28
Furtherfundingisessentialacrossthechildprotectionspectrum,however,therateofremovalofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenintoout-of-homecarecannotchangewithoutafocusoninterveningearlytosupport,strengthenandhealfamilies.Whatismosturgentisnation-wideemphasisonAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderledholistic,bestpractice,intensivefamilysupport,preservationandreunificationservicestailoredtovulnerableAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderfamilies,providedattheearliestpossiblepoint.
Therefore,FamilyMatterscallsforfederalinterventiontodriveincreasedinvestmentinAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderfamilysupportservicesthatpreventchildprotectioninterventionanditslong-termsocialandeconomiccosts,includingincarceration,welfaredependency,poorhealthandmentalillness.ThisprogramcouldbedeliveredbycreatingadedicatedfamilysupportcomponentwithintheSafetyandWellbeingstreamofthefederalgovernment’sIndigenousAdvancementStrategy.Elementsoftheprogramwouldinclude:
a) drawingonprovensuccessfullocalandinternationalevidence-basedfamilysupportprograms;b) consultationwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitiestodeterminelocaland
culturaladaptationsofevidence-basedprograms;c) resourcingfamilysupportservicesthroughAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderorganisations
todrivecommunitycapacitydevelopment,localemploymentandculturallysafeservices;andd) targetingsupportstofamilypreservationandreunificationtobothprevententrytoout-of-
homecareandsafelyreunifychildrentothecareoftheirfamilies.
RECOMMENDATION2:
InvestinanationalAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderfamilysupportprogramforearlyintervention,preventionandfamilyreunification.
2017–18FederalBudgetSubmission11
BUDGETIMPACT:
ReallocationoffundingwithintheCommunitySafetystreamoftheCommonwealthGovernment’sIndigenousAdvancementStrategy,accompaniedbya$60mp.a.newinvestmenttoestablishanation-wideprogramforintensivefamilysupportwithatotaladditionalcostof$240mover4years.
3.DEDICATEDFUNDINGFOREARLYCHILDHOODEDUCATIONANDCARESERVICESTOEFFECTIVELYADDRESSABORIGINALANDTORRESSTRAITISLANDERCHILDREN’SEDUCATIONALDISADVANTAGE
Currently,AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderChildrenaretwiceaslikelytobedevelopmentallyvulnerableearlyinlife,29andonlyhalfaslikelytoaccessearlyeducationasnon-Indigenouschildren.30TheProductivityCommissionhasidentifieda15,000placegapinearlylearningplacesforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.31TheCommonwealthhasaclearresponsibilitytoensurethattheinequalitythatexistsbetweenAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenandnon-Indigenouschildreninaccessingearlychildhoodservicesisredressed,throughcontinuedandincreasedsupportforqualityandculturallysafeservicedeliverydrivenbyAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoples.ThecurrentreformprocessbeingundertakenthroughtheJobsforFamiliesChildCarepackageoffersakeyopportunitytodirectlyinvestinthesafetyandwell-beingofourchildren,however,SNAICChasrepeatedlyraisedconcernsaboutthedevastatingandinadvertentimpactthesereformscouldhavewithoutadirectandspecificconsiderationoftheneedsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.Theproposedamendmentstothispackageareminimal:firstlyforadedicatedfundingstreamforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderservices,andsecondlyanincreaseinthenumberofsubsidisedhoursAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderfamiliescanaccess.
Earlyeducationandcare(ECEC)isrecognisedextensivelyinAustraliaandinternationallyasthemosteffectiveinterventiontosupportvulnerablechildrenandfamilies.Earlyinvestmentinstrengtheningfamiliescanprovidelong-termsocialandeconomicbenefitsbyinterruptingtrajectoriesthatleadtohealthproblems,criminalisation,andchildprotectionintervention.Itiswellknownthateffortstostrengthenfamiliesneedtotargetwholecommunitiestoaddresssituationsofpoverty,disadvantage,traumaandhousinginstabilityforcommunitiesthataredealingwiththeinter-generationalimpactsofcolonisation,racismanddispossession.TheevidenceshowsthatAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplesaregrosslyover-representedonmeasuresofdisadvantagethatcontributetochildprotectionrisks,andsimilarlyunder-representedinparticipationinservicesthatcouldrespondandprevententrytoout-of-homecare.32
ThegovernmenthasdeclaredacommitmenttoincreasingtheparticipationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenthroughthenewchildcaresystem.33AllresearchindicatesthattheextremegapsinutilisationbetweenAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleandnon-Indigenouspeopleofuniversalservices–includingearlychildhoodeducationandcare–areaproductofthehistorical,culturalandsocialfactorsintertwinedinmainstreamservicedeliverywhichgenerateexperiencesofdiscriminationandthen,inturn,disengagement.
FamilyMatters–Strongcommunities.Strongculture.Strongerchildren.12
AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderECECservicesareanessentialpartoftheAustralianchildcaresystem.AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderorganisationshavebeenidentifiedasbestplacedtoprovideculturallycompetentservicesthatareattunedtotheneedsoftheircommunities,andevidenceconfirmsthattheseservicesaremorelikelytobeused.ResearchdescribesthatIndigenousspecificservicesofferIndigenousfamiliesasafe,comfortable,culturallyappropriateenvironmentthatiseasiertoaccessandengagewith.34
AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderECECserviceshaveadifferentpurposetootherservices.Theiraimistosupportthewell-beingofthemostvulnerablechildrenandfamiliesinourcommunitybyreducingtheserviceaccessbarriersthatmanyAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderfamiliesexperienceinthemainstreamsystem.EvidencestronglysupportsAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderECECservicesasthemostsuccessfulorganisationsinengagingsuccessfullywithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenbecause:
• theyactivelyaccessvulnerablechildrenwhoarenotaccessingservices–particularlyduetothediscriminationfamiliesexperienceinmainstreamservices;
• theyengagewiththemostvulnerableandisolatedfamiliesinourcommunityandareakeyentrypointforvulnerablefamiliestoengagewithabroadrangeofsupportservicesthatcanenhancethesafetyandwell-beingofchildren;and
• theysupportparentswhomaybeexperiencinglong-termorentrenchedunemploymenttoaccesssupportintheirtransitionintotheworkforceandprovideanincentivetotransitionintotheworkforce.Theyoftenofferculturallysafeoptionsfortrainingandasteppingstoneintopaidlocalwork,somebeingamongthelargeremployersintheircommunities.
AdequatelyunderstandingandaccommodatingfortheECECserviceneedsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenandfamiliesexperiencingvulnerabilitycanonlyoccurwhenspecificconsiderationisgiventotheincreasedcostsservicesfacewhendeliveringculturallyinformedandintegratededucationandcare.TheincreaseincomparativedeliverycostsforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderservicesisparticularlynotableforservicesoperatinginremoteorruralareaswherethereisnomarketforchildcareandallservicesincurhighercosts.However,therearekeyfundingconsiderationsthatextendmuchfurtherthanremoteness–notablytheadditionalcostsofengagingwithahighernumberofhighriskchildrenandfamiliesandprovidingeffectivetrauma-informedculturallybasedservices.AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderECECservicesarefacedwithhighlycomplexanddiversedemandsonstaffandprograms,andthesedemandscanonlybemetwith:
• higherstaffinglevels;• increasedandvariedformsoftrainingforstaff(e.g.familyviolence,drugandalcohol,mental
health);• fundingforculturalprogrammingandeffectiveengagementwithcommunityboardsand
governancestructurestoensurecommunitybuyin;and• fundingtoremedyhigherlevelsofadministrationforchildrenexperiencingvulnerabilityand
theneedforamorediverseandcomprehensiverangeofsupportprogramsforparentsandfamilies.
IfthefederalgovernmentistoclosethegapinaccesstoECECforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren,theseadditionalfundingneedsthatarecriticaltoengagementwithandsupportoffamilieswillneedtobemet.
2017–18FederalBudgetSubmission13
TheFamilyAssistanceLegislationAmendment(JobsforFamiliesChildCarePackage)Bill2016proposesdramaticreformoftheearlychildhoodeducationandcaresector.AsidentifiedbyalargerangeoforganisationsincludingSNAICC,thepackagewillhavedevastatingconsequencesforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderECECserviceswithoutreform.ThetwokeyareasofconcernaretheabolishmentoftheBudgetBasedFunding(BBF)programandthereductionintheminimumsubsidisedhoursavailabletofamilies.Theimpactofthesechangeswillbereducedincomeforservicesandhighercostsforfamilies,thecombinationofwhichwillhaveadevastatingimpactonAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenandfamiliesbyreducingtheabilityforfamiliestoaccessservices,andreducingthecapacityofservicestoofferabroadrangeofholisticservices.
ForAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderfamiliesexperiencingvulnerabilityorhardship,areductioninsupporttoaccessECECserviceshasasignificantimpactontheirchildren.Thisisparticularlytrueforfamilieswithmultiplechildren,whowillnowfacesignificantlyhighercostsandareductioninsubsidisedhours.Thereductionintheminimumchildcareentitlementforlowincomefamiliesfrom24to12hoursofsubsidedcareperweekwillresultineitherhigherout-of-pocketcostsorreducedattendanceforfamilieswhoareinthelowestincomebracketanddonotmeettheactivitytest.Giventhehighproportionoflow-incomeandvulnerablefamiliesservicedbyAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildcarecentres,thisisexpectedtohaveasignificantimpactonservicerevenue.35
ByplacingAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderECECservicesincompetitionforfundingwithothermainstreamprovidersundertheCommunityChildCareFund,theCommonwealthisgeneratingasystemthathasthepotentialtomarginalisesmall-scalecommunityorganisationsandsupportlarger,establishedorganisationstosecuremorefunding,thuserodinglocalcommunityandculturalleadershipinservicedelivery.ThiswastheexperienceoftheimplementationoftheIndigenousAdvancementStrategybytheDepartmentofthePrimeMinisterandCabinet(PM&C)whichsawmanysmallandunder-resourcedAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderorganisationsstrugglingtocompeteforfundingagainstlargeandwell-establishedmainstreamnon-governmentorganisations.36WehavebeenencouragedbytherecentadvicetosectororganisationsprovidedbytheMinisterforEducationandTraining,SenatortheHon.SimonBirmingham,thatadiscretionarycomponentoffundingwithintheCommunityChildCareFundwillassisttoensurethatAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderservicesarenotunfairlydisadvantagedthroughthecompetitivefundingprocess.However,westronglybelievethatasustainableapproachthatmeetsthegovernment’sresponsibilitytoaddresstheinequitiesinserviceaccessandoutcomesforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenrequiresadedicatedAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderservicestream.
Theproposedremedyfortheseimpactsisintwoparts:
1. AnAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderspecificprogramwithintheChildCareSafetyNetandanattunedfundingmodelforotherruralandremoteservices.TheobjectiveoftheAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderprogramwouldbetoproviderepeatedthreeyeargrantstotop-uptheincometoAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderservicestoenablethemtocontinueflexibleserviceprovisiontothemostdisadvantagedchildrenwithintheircommunities.Savingsfromthedelayedroll-outoftheJobsforFamiliesChildcarePackagecouldbedrawnupontoprovidetheestimatedadditional$100mp.a.requiredtoimplementthisprogramontopoffundsreallocatedfromtheproposedCommunityChildCareFund.
FamilyMatters–Strongcommunities.Strongculture.Strongerchildren.14
Fundingagreementsunderthisstreamoffundingwouldbeprovidedonalong-termbasistoensurethesustainabilityofservicesandenableeffectiveprogrammingtosupporttheneedsoffamiliesinlightofbest-practicemodelsforinterventionsurroundingfamilyviolence,drugandalcoholmisuseandcommunityviolence.
2. Provisionofatleasttwofulldays(20hours)ofsubsidisedqualityearlylearningtoallchildrentosupporttheirdevelopment,regardlessoftheirparents’activities.Thisisacompromisedpositionfromthefull24hoursprovidednow,offeredinthespiritofcompromiseasapartofapackageofrecommendations.ThisrequiresanamendmenttotheBilltoensurethatfamiliesonincomeslessthan$100,000perannumreceivetwofulldays(20hours)ofsubsidisedcareperweek.Thiscouldtaperdownbetweenthecurrentproposed$65,700and$100,000p.a.Thisproposalwouldrequire,specifically,anamendmentofSchedule1,Clause131)oftheBilltostatethat“Thelowincomeresultis48”sothatfamiliesonincomeslessthanthelowerincomethreshold($100,000)perannumreceivetwofulldays(upto20hours)ofsubsidisedcareperweekoranamendmentreflectingthetaperingcomponent.Thisremovesunfaircutsinsubsidycausedbythecliffat$65,710whichwouldmeanchildrenhavetodropoutofearlylearningorhaveasignificantincreaseintheirfeesiftheirestimatedincomegoesabove$65,710.Italsoretainsworkforceincentivesforfamilieswithincomesover$65,710becausesubsidyforworkingfamilieswillbepaidatahigherChildCareSubsidy(CCS)percentageaswellasincludingadditionalCCShours.ItfinallyensuresfamiliesinthebottomtwoquintileswhodonotmeettheactivitytestarenotworseoffmovingtoCCS.Giventhebudgetaskforshiftingthenumberofsubsidizedhoursforallchildrento20hoursissignificant,apotentialoptionwouldbetoimplementaspecialmeasuretoenableaspecificprovisionfor20subsidisedhoursforallAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninrecognitionoftheneedtoclosethegapinearlychildhoodservicesaccessandoutcomesforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.
Costsavingmeasures
Thereareaseriesofcostsavingsthatcouldbemadetoredressanyincreasedcoststhroughtheserecommendations.Thesectorhasbeenworkingonidentifyingsomepotentialmeasuresthatrangefromreducingtheincomethresholdforthecapfrom$185,000toreallocatingunderspendsfromtheNannyPilotandredirectingsomeofthe$1.1billionofbudgetsavingstheGovernmentwillachievein2017-18fromthedelayinthecommencementoftheChildCareSubsidy.
RECOMMENDATION3:
EstablishanAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderspecificprogramwithintheChildCareSafetyNetoftheFederalGovernment’sJobsforFamiliesPackage.
BUDGETIMPACT:
$100mperannumadditionalcostdrawingonsavingsfromthedelayedimplementationoftheJobsforFamiliespackage.
2017–18FederalBudgetSubmission15
RECOMMENDATION4:
Provideatleast20hrsofsubsidisedqualityearlylearningtoallchildrentosupporttheirdevelopment,regardlessoftheirparents’activities.
BUDGETIMPACT:
FamilyMattersisyettodevelopaclearcostingontheproposedincreaseinminimumsubsidisedhours.WewouldbepreparedtoworkwiththeGovernmenttofullydetailcostsandpotentialsavings.
4.NATIONALDATASETSFORCHILDPROTECTIONALIGNEDWITHGAPSIDENTIFIEDINTHE2016FAMILYMATTERSREPORT
In2016,FamilyMattersformedapartnershipbetweentheUniversityofMelbourne,theCentreforEvidenceandImplementation,SNAICCandSavetheChildrentoresearchandproduceareportonavailabledatareflecting:
• abenchmarkingofthecurrentover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecare;
• measuresoftheeconomic,communityandsocialfactorsthatdriveover-representationandserviceresponses;and
• measuresofprogresstowardsenablingAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderparticipationandculturalrespectintheresponsetoover-representation.
TheseeffortsledtotheNovember2016publicationoftheFamilyMattersReport.WhilethereportprovidedavaluablebaselineoncurrentissuesandtrendstopromoteAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildsafetyandwell-being,italsorevealedextensivegapsinavailabledata.
Thelackofcomprehensiveanddetaileddatarelevanttothesituationof,causesandresponsestoAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren’sover-representationinout-of-homecare(OOHC)shouldbeofgreatconcerntogovernments.Effectivepolicymakingisguidedbyaccuratedataandinformation,anddataisalsoessentialtomonitorandevaluatetheimpactandcosteffectivenessofpoliciesdesignedtoimproveandaddressthesafetyandwell-beingofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.ThesubstantialgapsindatarelevanttoAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren’sexperienceofchildwelfaresystemshighlightsthepotentialforseriousriskstochildrenincluding:governmentsandauthoritiesnotbeingawareofelevatedriskstochildren’ssafety;therightsofchildrentoaccesshealth,educationandjusticebeingcompromised;andtheinadequateanddelayedinvestmentofgovernmentsintargetedandevidence-basedsolutionstoaddressthechronicsituationwearefacingtoday.
Asignificantinvestmentindatadevelopmentisneededtoensureaccesstoarangeofrelevantdatathatwouldinformabetterunderstandingofthecurrentsituationofover-representation,theprogresstowardsreformandthetargetingoffutureefforts.Datadevelopmentshouldtakeaccount
FamilyMatters–Strongcommunities.Strongculture.Strongerchildren.16
ofidentifiedgapsthroughoutthe2016FamilyMattersReportthathavebeenmappedagainsttheevidence-basedbuildingblockstoaddressingover-representationoutlinedintheFamilyMattersRoadmap.Inparticular,thereshouldbeaprioritytoensurethefollowingprioritydatagapsareredressedandreportedagainstintheProductivityCommission’sannualReportonGovernmentService,theAIHWChildProtectionAustraliaReport,and/ortheOvercomingIndigenousDisadvantageReport:
• ReunificationratesofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninOOHC;• AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildentryandre-entrytoOOHC;• InclusionofaccesstolongdaycareundertheBudgetBasedFundingPrograminearly
childhoodeducationandcaredata;• ExpenditureinchildprotectionandfamilysupportbothprovidedtoAboriginalandTorres
StraitIslanderchildrenandprovidedbycommunity-controlledservices;• AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderaccesstofamilysupportandintensivefamilysupport
services;• Therateofdomesticandfamilyviolencereportsandsubstantiationsacrossalljurisdictions
andbyremotenessforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderwomenandchildren;• NationallyconsistentmeasuresofcompliancewiththeAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander
ChildPlacementPrinciplealignedwithitsintentandfivedistinctelements;• HousingtenuretypeandqualityofhousingamongstAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander
familieswithchildren;and• HomelessnessandissuesrelatingtohousingandovercrowdingexperiencedbyAboriginal
andTorresStraitIslanderchildrenandtheirfamiliesinvolvedwithchildprotection.
RECOMMENDATION5:
Developmentandpublicationofdatatobettermeasurethesituationof,causesandresponsestoover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.AdatadevelopmentprojectcouldbeledbyeithertheProductivityCommissionortheAustralianInstituteofHealthandWelfarewhichbothreportannuallyonanumberofrelevantexistingdatasets.
BUDGETIMPACT:
Nil–Thismeasurecouldbeimplementedthroughreallocationofprioritiesoftheagencycompletingthedatadevelopmentproject.
5.COMMUNITYPARTICIPATIONINCHILDPROTECTIONDECISIONMAKINGTRIALS
Shiftingpractice–fromservicedeliveryresponsesthatechohistoricalgovernmentinterventions,totheempowermentofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopletodrivetheagendathroughcommunity-ledapproaches–iscriticaltosustainablechangeforchildsafetyandwell-being.Manyofthechallengescommunitiesfaceinprovidingsafecarefortheirchildrenhavetheirrootsinthehistoricallossofcultureandcontrol,andtheresultingexperiencesoftraumaanddisadvantagethatarepassedfromonegenerationtothenext.Assuch,theseissuescanonlybeaddressedbyreturning
2017–18FederalBudgetSubmission17
responsibilityandleadershiptoAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopletocreateandprovidesafeandnurturingfamiliesandcommunitiesfortheirchildren.ToenablethistooccurtheAustralianGovernmentneedstofostercommunityleadershiponmattersofchildsafetyandwell-being.Whileothersectionsofthesubmissioncallforservicesthataddressimmediatesupportneedsforfamilies,thissectioncallsforthecommunityempowermentthatwillmakefamilychangessustainableinthecontextofsupportiveandthrivingcommunities.
AstrongbaseofcapacitytocareforandsupportchildrenremainsthedominantparadigminAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercultureandcommunities,indicatingaclearpathwayforcommunityandculturallybasedsafecare.TheculturalstrengthsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrearingpracticescontributetocreatesafeandnurturingenvironmentsforchildren–indeed,theliteraturehasrecognisedthevalueofIndigenouskinandcommunitysystemsthatprovideholisticcareforchildren.37Also,despitetheover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecare,almost95percentofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenarecaredforbytheirfamiliesandcommunities,andofthoseincare,justoverhalfarecaredforbyAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercarers,38indicatingtheenormousdegreeofsuccessfulcareprovidedbyAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople.
AustralianandinternationalevidencehasconfirmedtheeffectivenessofIndigenousleadershiptoidentifyneedsandshaperesponsesthatconsistentlyproducebetterresults,39andhaslinkedIndigenouscommunityempowermenttobroadlypositivesocialandemotionalwell-beingoutcomesforcommunitymembers.40Community-drivensolutionshavethepotentialtomeetcommunities’specificneedswithrealisticandculturallyappropriateapproaches.Asaresultofthecommunityparticipation,involvementanddeliveryofthesesolutions,asenseofcontrol,trust,andawarenesscanbecreatedwithincommunities.Communityvaluesandbeliefsarealsopromotedthroughtheseprocesses,reinforcingapositivesenseofculturalidentityandknowledge.Childrenarethedirectbeneficiariesofstrongfunctioningcommunitiesthatexerciseself-governance.41
Aframeworkforgenuinelyenablingsuchparticipationrequiresthedevelopmentandrecognitionofcommunityrepresentativestructuresthatcanparticipateindecision-making,andgoodfaithnegotiationswiththosecommunityrepresentativestoobtaintheirfree,priorandinformedconsentfordecisionsmade.42Enablingcommunityleadershiponmattersofchildsafetyandwell-beingisacomplextaskthatconfrontsabroadrangeofbarriers,including:
• Disparatesystemsofgovernanceandleadershipthroughserviceorganisations,referencegroupsandcommitteesthatareoftenalignedtosiloedgovernmentserviceresponses–ratherthanholistic,community-ledsafetyandwell-beingapproaches;
• Reluctancetoengagebecauseofthefailuretofollow-throughorachieveoutcomesthroughpreviousgovernmentormainstreamledresponses;
• Fracturedcommunitieswhereinter-generationaldisadvantageandstrugglehavecontributedtocommunitydivisions,andcompetitionforresourcesandauthority;
• Damagedrelationshipsbetweengovernmentandmainstreamservicesandcommunitiesthatrequiresupportforrebuildingtrustandgenuinepartnership;and
• Persistentdiscriminatory,racistand/orpaternalisticattitudesofsomenon-Indigenousserviceorganisationsandstaff.
FamilyMatters–Strongcommunities.Strongculture.Strongerchildren.18
Whatisneededtoaddressthesebarriersandsupportcommunityempowermentisthefacilitateddevelopmentofcommunityleadershipforensuringchildsafetyandwell-being.EnablingsuchleadershipwouldnecessarilydrawandbuildonthestrengthsofexistingcommunityleadershipandculturalstrengthsinprovidingforthesafecareofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.FamilyMattersproposesatrialofafacilitatedapproachtoworkingwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitiestodevelopchildsafetyandwell-beingleadership.Thetrialwouldincludeelementssuchas:
• Facilitatingtheformationofaleadershipgroupwithappropriaterepresentationanddrawingonexistingcommunitygovernancestructures;
• Supportingcommunityrepresentativestodefinetheiraspirations,needsandstrengthsforensuringthesafetyandwell-beingoftheirchildren;
• Supportingthedevelopmentofcommunitystrategiestoaddresschildabuseandneglect;• Facilitatingthedevelopmentofrelationshipsandengagementprotocolsbetween
communityrepresentativeandgovernmentandcommunityservices;and• Providingcommunityeducationonchildprotectionprocessesandservices.
Theproposalofatrialrecognisesthatcommunity-drivenmechanismscantakemanyshapes–bothformalandinformal–andthattheformofcommunityorganisationcannotbeprescribed.Theprocessinvolvesgovernmentstrustingandstrengtheningcommunityknowledgeandexpertisethroughbuildingcommunitycapacityandconfidenceandultimatelyallowingcommunitycontroloverlocalresponses.
ItisproposedthatthetrialwouldcommencebyappointinganAboriginalorTorresStraitIslanderfacilitatortoworkwithcommunitiestodeterminethemostappropriatecommunitystructureforenablingparticipation.Keyobjectivesofcapacitystrengtheningwithinthecontextofchildandfamilywelfareincludethestrengtheningofidentityandsenseofbelongingofcommunitymembers,strengtheningthecommunity’snurturanceandprotectionofchildrenandfamilies,andcreatingacollaborativeandsupportivenetworktoassistafamilies.
CASESTUDY:GRANDMOTHERSAGAINSTREMOVALS(GMAR)
GMARisakeycommunity-drivensolutiontotheescalatingnumbersofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenincare.Formedin2014inresponsetothehighlevelsofAboriginalchildreninout-of-homecareinNewSouthWales,GMARhasbeenledbyconcernedgrandparentswhohaveadvocatedforstrongerrelationshipsbetweenchildprotectionservicesandcommunitiesandagreedonaGuidingPrinciplesdocumentwiththeNewSouthWalesGovernment.TheGuidingPrincipleshighlighttheroleoflocalAboriginalcommunitiesandtheirorganisationsindecision-making,inputtingintochildprotectionandout-of-homecareservicedelivery,andensuringcompliancewithvariousrequirementsincludingtheAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderChildPlacementPrincipleandculturalcareplanning.43
2017–18FederalBudgetSubmission19
RECOMMENDATION6:
UndertakeatrialoflocalAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitystrategiestostrengthenfamilies,redresslocalrisksofabuseandneglectforchildren,overseechildsafetyandwell-being,andinputtodecision-makingonthecareandsafetyofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.Thetrialcouldbeconductedin6-7locationsinurban,regionalandremotelocationstoestablishafirmbaseofevidencetoinformtheconsiderationofbroaderimplementation.
BUDGETIMPACT:
$8millionover4years
6.ANATIONALPEAKBODYFORABORIGINALANDTORRESSTRAITISLANDERCHILDREN
EffectivelyengagingwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderfamiliesexperiencingvulnerabilityandstrengtheningthesafetyandwell-beingofchildrenrequiresahighlevelofknowledgeandexperiencetounderstandandrespondtotheirneeds.Theover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecareissymptomaticofachildandfamilyservicesectorthatbroadlyfailstorespondtoandprioritisethespecificneeds,circumstancesandexperiencesofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenandfamilies.AddressingthisgaprequirestheactiveengagementofgovernmentwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitiesthathavethebestknowledgeabouttheirownuniqueneedsandtheresponsesrequired.
GovernmentshaveincreasinglyrecognisedtheneedtoengageinproductivepolicypartnershipswithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplestoaddressthechronicgapsinaccess,engagementandoutcomesfromchildandfamilyinterventions.Theprincipleofactiveparticipationof,andengagementwith,AboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitiesisrecognisedwithintheNationalIndigenousReformAgreement(NIRA)asfundamentalindesigningprogramstoeffectivelyovercomedisadvantage.TheNIRAidentifiesthat“strongrelationship/partnershipsbetweengovernment,communityandserviceprovidersincreasethecapacitytoachieveidentifiedoutcomes.”44
TheeffortsofgovernmenttoengagewithandbeinformedbyAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitiesareoftenhamperedbymultipleengagementchallengesincluding:
• OvercomingdistrustofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleandcommunitiesofgovernmentduetopastdiscriminatorypoliciesandpersistentpooroutcomes;
• DifficultyinclearlydeterminingtheprioritiesofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleduetomultipleanddisparatevoicereflectingalargediversityofculturesandperspectives;
FamilyMatters–Strongcommunities.Strongculture.Strongerchildren.20
• Identifyingcollectiveneedsandinterestsversuslocal,individualandorganisationalneedsandinterests;and
• Inadequatecapacityforculturallycompetentengagementpractice.
TofunctioneffectivelygovernmentrequiresmechanismsforengagingwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderleadershipandcommunity-controlledorganisationstoensurethattherelevantexpertise,knowledgeandcommunityconnectionsareembeddedinpolicyapproachestoaddressingthedisadvantageexperiencedbyAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoples.EngagingwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeakorganisationsprovidesakeyplatformforovercomingengagementbarriersandtranslatingcommunityknowledgeandthecollectivevoicesofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplestoinformgovernmentpolicy.KeyfunctionsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeaksthatbenefitgovernmentinclude:
• Providingacosteffectiveconduittogarnertheperspectivesofdisadvantagedormarginalisedgroups,whichcontributestoimprovethedevelopmentofsocialpolicyandprograms;
• BringingculturalexpertiseandconnectionstocommunicateeffectivelywithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople;
• OvercomingdistrustofgovernmentthroughAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderleadershipanddecadesofengagementwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleandrepresentationoftheirneedsandpriorities;
• ActingasarepositoryofsectorknowledgeandexpertiseinrelationtotheneedsandcircumstancesofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople,throughspecialistknowledgeandconsultationwithmembers;
• Instigatingandpromotingpublicdebatewhichassistsinfosteringparticipatorydemocracywhilecontributingtosoundsocialpolicydevelopment;
• Providingalow-costmechanismbywhichgovernmentscanaccesstheknowledgeandexpertiseofthesectortoimprovethequality,efficiencyandrelevanceoftheirprogramsandservices;and
• Assistinginfacilitatingdialogueandinformationsharingamongstcommunitysectororganisations.
Additionally,andcritically,AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeakbodies,becausetheyaregovernedbyrepresentativegroupsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderleaders,provideaplatformforself-determination.TheyserveasvehiclesfortheempowermentofboththeAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplewhooperatethemandthecommunitiesthattheyrepresentandserve.TheyareakeymechanismthroughwhichgovernmentcanenableIndigenousleadership,inlinewithcompellinginternationalevidencethat“thebestoutcomesincommunitywell-beinganddevelopmentforIndigenouspeoplesareachievedwherethosepeopleshavecontrolovertheirownlivesandareempoweredtorespondtoandaddresstheproblemsfacingtheirowncommunities.”45
Inthechildandfamilyservicessector,SNAICChasauniqueroleastheonlynationalbodyprovidingarepresentativevoiceforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitymembersandorganisations.SNAICCisstronglyrecognisedbygovernmentandnon-governmentstakeholdersasaleadingrepresentativevoiceonAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildandfamilyissues.Establishedin1983,SNAICCisanAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunity-controlledorganisationgoverned
2017–18FederalBudgetSubmission21
byanationalboardandcouncilofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunityandserviceleadersfromacrossthecountry.Inpartnershipwithitsboardandcouncilmembers,SNAICCundertakesstrong,participatoryandongoingconsultationwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitiesandorganisationsacrossthecountry.SNAICC’sdeepconnectionto,understandingofandaccountabilitytoAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitiesisgroundedinitsIndigenous-controlledandnationalrepresentativegovernancestructure,anditslonghistoryrepresentingtheinterestsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenandfamilies.SNAICCrepresentsthevoicesofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitiesinprocessesthataffectthem,includinggovernmentreviews,inquiries,andconsultativeprocesses.
SincetheintroductionoftheIndigenousAdvancementStrategy(IAS)in2014,SNAICChasnotreceivedfundingtofulfilpeakbodyfunctions–includingtoconsultwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitiesandservicesanddrawontheirknowledgeandperspectivestoinformpolicyandprogramdevelopment.SNAICCcurrentlyprimarilyreceivesfundingthroughtheDepartmentofPrimeMinisterandCabinetforconductingtrainingprograms,providingresourcesandcoordinatingNationalAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderChildren’sDay.
Despitelimitationsofitscurrentfundingarrangements,SNAICCcontinues–toamorelimitedextent–toprovidepolicyadvicetogovernment,extendingitsstrongtrackrecordofplayinganactivefacilitationrolebetweenAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunity-controlledorganisationsandgovernments.SNAICCisengagedinarangeofpartnershipswithgovernmentstoshareexpertiseandknowledge,andinformbest-practiceapproachestosafetyandwell-beingforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.ArecentexamplehasbeentheworkofSNAICCtocoordinatetheFamilyMaterscampaign,bringingtogetherover150AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderandmainstreamsectororganisationstoprovideadviceanddirectiontogovernmentonthestrategiestoovercomethepersistentandrisingover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninout-of-homecare.SNAICCrecentlyworkedwithFamilyMatterspartnerstoproduceandpublishanevidence-basedroadmapforreformandanextensiveoverviewofbaselinedataonoutcomesandprogresstoaddressover-representation.Thereportandroadmaphavebeenrecognisedasqualityandinformativeguidingdocumentsbyabroadrangeofgovernmentandnon-governmentstakeholders–reflectedintheover88non-governmentorganisations,29stateandfederalpoliticiansand6children’scommissionerswhohavesignedtheFamilyMattersStatementofCommitment.
ThoughSNAICChasbeenabletosustainasmallscopeofpeakbodyoperationwithnon-governmentandphilanthropicsupport,tofullyandsustainablyprovidepeakfunctions,itrequiresagovernmentre-investmentinSNAICCasapeakbody.SNAICCestimatesthatanadditional$700,000p.a.dedicatedtopeakfunctions–includingcommunityandsectorconsultation,policydevelopment,andadvisinggovernment–wouldenableittofulfilitspeakbodyfunctions,including:
• KeyconsultationforumstocontinuallydocumentandtrackemergingevidencearoundeffectiveapproachestoservicedeliveryforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildrenandfamilies;
FamilyMatters–Strongcommunities.Strongculture.Strongerchildren.22
• MaintenanceofnetworksandrelationshipsbetweenAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunity-controlledorganisationstobuildorganisationalcapacity,enabletheexchangeofknowledgeandexpertise,andtoprovideaplatformforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderleadershiptocommunicateandsharetheexperiencesoftheircommunities;
• Thefacilitationofadvice,knowledgeandmentoringforgovernmentsengagedinaddressingthevulnerabilityanddisadvantageexperiencedbyAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderfamilies;
• Thecontributionofin-depthpolicyanalysisandadvicetoabroadrangeofgovernmentpolicy,legislationandsectordevelopmentandreviewprocesses;and
• Thefacilitationofbestpracticeadviceandmentoringfornon-governmentorganisationsinengagingineffectiveservicedeliveryapproaches;and
• TheconveningofnationalpolicydevelopmentspacessuchasthebiennialSNAICCNationalConference.
RECOMMENDATION7:
AdequateresourcingisprovidedtoSNAICC–NationalVoiceforOurChildrentofulfilitsroleasthenationalpeakbodyrepresentingtheinterestsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.
BUDGETIMPACT:
$2.8mover4years
TOTALBUDGETIMPACTANDOFFSETS
COSTS
Recommendation Costover4years
ACOAGtargetandnationalstrategytoaddressover-representation $40million
AnationalAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderearlyintervention,preventionandreunificationprogram
$240million
AnAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderspecificprogramwithintheChildCareSafetyNetoftheFederalGovernment’sJobsforFamiliesPackage
$400millionreducedtoNilbysavingswithintheexistingpackage
2017–18FederalBudgetSubmission23
Atleast20hrsofsubsidisedqualityearlylearningtoallchildrentosupporttheirdevelopment,regardlessoftheirparents’activities
Notcostedinthissubmission
Nationaldatasetsforchildprotectionalignedwithgapsidentifiedinthe2016FamilyMattersReport
Nil
Communityparticipationinchildrenprotectiondecision-makingtrials $8million
AdequateresourcingisprovidedtoSNAICC–NationalVoiceforOurChildrentofulfilitsroleasthenationalpeakbodyrepresentingtheinterestsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren
$2.8million
TOTAL $290.8million
OFFSETS
SNAICCunderstandstheneedforstructuralreformtoreturnthebudgettosurplus.However,inrecentyearssignificantfundshavebeenstrippedfromtheservicesthatarecriticallyneededtoimproveoutcomesAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.Thisincluded$534millionthatwascutfromexistingprogramswithintheIndigenousAffairsbudgetin2014andthediscontinuationoftheAboriginalChildrenandFamilyCentresprograminthesameyear.Thecontinuingfailuretoadvancetheclosingthegapagendaacrossabroadrangeofoutcomesreflectspersistentfailurestoachieveadequateservicereach,qualityandaccessibilityforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople,andreflectstheneedfortargetedinvestments.Thecontinuingescalationinover-representationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildreninchildprotectionsystemsandthelong-termsocialandeconomicreturnsofearlyinterventioninvestmentdetailedinthissubmissioncompellinglyinformthecasetoincreaseoverallfundingforIndigenouschildsafetyandwell-beinginitiatives.
Ourrecommendationisthatthetotalof$290.8millioninadditionalexpendituresidentifiedinthissubmissionareoffsetagainstadeclineintheGovernment’splannedincreaseindefenceexpenditures,asoutlinedinSavetheChildrenAustralia’sfederalbudgetsubmissionwhichincorporatesthemajorityofFamilyMattersbudgetproposals.
1SNAICC–NationalVoiceforourChildren(2016),FamilyMattersReport,Melbourne.
2AustralianInstituteofHealthandWelfare(2016)ChildProtectionAustralia2014-15,Childwelfareseriesno.63.Cat.no.CWS57.Canberra.
3SNAICC–NationalVoiceforourChildren(2016),FamilyMattersReport,Melbourne.
FamilyMatters–Strongcommunities.Strongculture.Strongerchildren.24
4AustralianInstituteofFamilyStudies(2016),Theeconomiccostsofchildabuseandneglect,CFCAResourceSheet,availableat:https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/economic-costs-child-abuse-and-neglect.
5Fox,S.,Southwell,A.,Stafford,N.,Goodhue,R.,Jackson,D.andSmith,C.(2015).BetterSystems,BetterChances:AReviewofResearchandPracticeforPreventionandEarlyIntervention.Canberra:AustralianResearchAllianceforChildrenandYouth.
6ChildrenandFamiliesMinisters,Communique,24June2016.
7CouncilofAustralianGovernments,COAGMeetingCommunique,9December2016,availableat:https://www.coag.gov.au/meeting-outcomes/coag-meeting-communiqu%C3%A9-9-december-2016.
8Availableat:http://www.familymatters.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Family-Matters-Statement-of-Commitment-website.pdf
9Fox,S.,Southwell,A.,Stafford,N.,Goodhue,R.,Jackson,D.andSmith,C.(2015).BetterSystems,BetterChances:AReviewofResearchandPracticeforPreventionandEarlyIntervention.Canberra:AustralianResearchAllianceforChildrenandYouth.
9ARACY(2014)citedinFoxetal(2015),p36.
10ARACY(2014)citedinFoxetal(2015),p36
11Segal,Dalziel,andPapandrea(2013,p623)citedinFoxetal(2015),p36.
12MorganDisney&AssociatesPtyLtdandAppliedEconomicsPtyLtd(2006),Transitionfromcare:AvoidablecoststogovernmentsofalternativepathwaysofyoungpeopleexitingtheformalchildprotectionsysteminAustralia,availableat:https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/05_2012/vol1_transition_care_0.rtf.
13Lee,AosandMiller(2008)citedinFoxetal(2015),p47.
14Heckman,J.(2008)TheCaseforInvestinginDisadvantagedYoungChildren,availableat:http://www.heckmanequation.org/content/resource/case-investing-disadvantaged-young-children;Allen,K.(2013).ValueforEveryone:Understandingthesocialandeconomicbenefitsoffamilysupportservices.Canberra:FamilyRelationshipsServicesAustralia,p49-50.
15SNAICC–NationalVoiceforourChildren(2016),FamilyMattersReport,Melbourne,p46.
16SteeringCommitteefortheReviewofGovernmentServiceProvision(2016)ReportonGovernmentServices2016.ProductivityCommission:Melbourne.
17SteeringCommitteefortheReviewofGovernmentServiceProvision(2013)ReportonGovernmentServices(2012).ProductivityCommission:Melbourne;SteeringCommitteefortheReviewofGovernmentServiceProvision(2016)ReportonGovernmentServices2016.ProductivityCommission:Melbourne.
18SNAICC–NationalVoiceforourChildren(2016),FamilyMattersReport,Melbourne.
19SteeringCommitteefortheReviewofGovernmentServiceProvision(2016)ReportonGovernmentServices2016.ProductivityCommission:Melbourne.
20AustralianInstituteofHealthandWelfare(2016)ChildProtectionAustralia2014-15,Childwelfareseriesno.63.Cat.no.CWS57.Canberra,tableA45.
21SNAICC–NationalVoiceforourChildren(2016),FamilyMattersReport,Melbourne.
2017–18FederalBudgetSubmission25
22Lutzker,J.andEdwards,A.(2009).SafeCare:Towardswide-scaleimplementationofachildmaltreatmentpreventionprogram,InternationalJournalofChildHealthandHumanDevelopment,Volume2,Issue1,7-15.
23RobinsandRowlands(2012)citedin‘FFTEvidenceStudiesImplementation’,p14,availableat:http://www.fftllc.com/documents/FFT-CW-Model-Effectiveness.pdf.
24SNAICC(2010).TowardsAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderaccessandengagement:Overcomingbarrierstochildandfamilyservices;Flaxman,S.,Muir,K.,andOprea,I.(2009).Indigenousfamiliesandchildren:coordinationandprovisionofservices.OccasionalPaperNo23.Canberra:FaHCSIA,p.23;
25Tilbury,C(2015)MovingtoPrevention:IntensivefamilysupportservicesforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.Melbourne:SNAICC.
26Tilbury,C(2015)MovingtoPrevention:IntensivefamilysupportservicesforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.Melbourne:SNAICC,p28
27Tilbury,C(2015)MovingtoPrevention:IntensivefamilysupportservicesforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderchildren.Melbourne:SNAICC,p28-29
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