Family must always come first, family need to be spoken to first and it should always be up to the family to decide.
Margaret Smith, NPY Women’s Council Chairperson
NPY Women’s Council (NPYWC) oppose the proposed plan by the NT Government to change the ‘Care and Protection of Children Act 2007’. We call out the Finocchiaro Government on their intention to make such significant change without consulting Aboriginal Leaders, affected communities and Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations.
The Northern Territory government is planning to amend child protection legislation to give courts and the Department of Children and Families powers to override national guidelines under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle.
Current laws provide protections for Aboriginal children in care, including placing them with family or kin and close to country, however a “special and exceptional circumstance” provision would be added under draft legislation.
NPYWC are concerned that the proposed changes will result in more Anangu children being removed from families, culture and communities which are integral to their wellbeing and safety.
” the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Principle must be implemented in full with no changes when it comes to child protection involvement with Anangu children.”
NPYWC Chair Margaret Smith
NPYWC calls on the NT Government to have a greater investment into community led solutions that support Anangu children to remain with their families, communities and connected to country, language and culture.
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