Page 1851 - Week 05 - Thursday, 16 May 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
But even the chair of Our Booris, Our Way has said that the efforts of this government are not working and that the changes are not being implemented fast enough. The A step up for our kids strategy was aimed at reducing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait children in care. But, as we can see, it is not working. This strategy, which started three years ago, is led by mainstream organisations, not Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
It also fails to mention the child placement principles which all other states and territories have taken on board. We cannot afford to wait longer. This is especially true for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community here in Canberra. I believe that an external examination would add value and give different insights. An ACT Legislative Assembly committee inquiry could compel witnesses to speak and provide them with important protections. This is sufficient. It can act as a beacon for people stuck in the system or who feel unable to come forward.
I commend Mrs Kikkert for her motion advocating for the kids and families impacted by this government. I am pleased today that this motion is getting support from others in this chamber. However, I feel that this relates to political pressure Mrs Kikkert has brought to bear rather than because it is the right thing to do. I also commend our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community for their resilience and their attempts to keep their families and communities together. You deserve our support and you deserve better than what this government is giving.
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Disability, Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety, Minister for Government Services and Procurement, Minister for Urban Renewal) (3.49), by leave: I want to put on record my disappointment at Mr Milligan’s contribution. We have worked very hard to come to a tripartisan position on this motion. I noted when I spoke that between 2017 and 2018 we saw a 45 per cent reduction in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children entering the care and protection system.
I understand Mr Milligan’s passion. I understand the passion of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community about this issue. I understand that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community will continue to hold us to account to implement new measures, to do better. But it is not true, as Mr Milligan has stated, that things keep getting worse. We have seen significant improvements and we have seen the implementation of new programs which are keeping families together, keeping children safe with their birth parents or with their extended families.
I think the way Mr Milligan talked about this is absolutely against the spirit of the way this matter was brought to the chamber. We have all expressed our support for child protection workers and the very important work that they do. When Mr Milligan gets up and talks about government failure, he is talking about the failure of front-line workers to make decisions in the best interests of children and young people. I do not believe that is what this chamber thinks. I just think Mr Milligan should reflect on the—
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video