BRISBANE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
Hello everyone, it’s Malarndirri McCarthy here – coming to you from the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.
I’d like to acknowledge that you are gathered on the lands of the Jagera and Turrbal peoples and pay my respects to Elders past and present.
As Minister for Indigenous Australians, I warmly welcome you all to the 2025 SNAICC National Conference.
This year’s theme is “Our Culture, Keep It Strong, We Belong.”
It highlights the importance of raising First Nations children strong in their culture, ensuring they feel safe and loved.
Proud in their identity and empowered to reach their full potential.
We all know early education is critical in ensuring children start school with the best chance of success.
And setting them up for success throughout their life.
I am proud that the Albanese Labor Government is working in partnership with SNAICC, First Nations organisations and communities across the country to make sure no child is left behind, and no child is held back.
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap sets out ambitious targets and priority reforms to improve life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Change is happening, but we all know there is more work to do.
The National Agreement is changing the way governments work, in partnership with the Coalition of the Peaks and its members, including SNAICC.
This includes through the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership, which SNAICC Co-Chairs.
That Partnership is driving community-led, early childhood care and development outcomes by identifying reforms so that First Nations children can achieve their full potential in the early years.
The Connected Beginnings program - which SNAICC helps deliver - is connecting First Nations children with early childhood education, health and family support services in 50 locations – helping them meet key milestones before they start school.
I had the privilege of attending the launch of the 50th Connected Beginnings site in Kununurra, Western Australia.
That site will provide wrap-around education and health support services to 600 local First Nations children.
The structure of Connected Beginnings means that each community is empowered to design and deliver the program in a way which supports their individual needs and aspirations.
I’m so pleased to say that across the country, more than 24,000 First Nations children are now being supported through the program.
And I’m also pleased to say that from January next year, we are replacing the Child Care Subsidy Activity Test with the 3 Day Guarantee
This will provide at least 3 days of subsidised care each week for all children eligible for the Child Care Subsidy.
As part of the 3 Day Guarantee, families caring for a First Nations child will be eligible for 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
The 3 Day Guarantee will be a game changer.
It will give greater access to early childhood education for First Nations children and their families.
We are also working with states and territories, and in partnership with First Nations people and communities, to improve the rates of our children in detention and out of home care.
Through Joint Council, with my co-Chair Pat Turner, we’re pushing the states and territories to look at what they can do to drive better outcomes.
And over the past few weeks we’ve been meeting with jurisdictions to continue that effort.
You would all be aware of our recent appointment of Sue-Anne Hunter as the new National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People.
Ms Hunter brings over 20 years of experience in the family services sector, including senior roles at SNAICC.
Her role is focused on protecting and promoting the rights, interests and wellbeing of First Nations children and young people, particularly in addressing their over-representation in out-of-home care.
We are also delivering programs focussed on early intervention and healing for First Nations families impacted by the child protection system.
As part of the largest ever Commonwealth investment in the legal services sector, we have more than doubled funding for Family Violence Prevention Legal Services across the country to support families.
Further, we are piloting culturally based healing programs that provide wrap-around support for women and children affected by family violence.
There is more work to do, and success depends on our collaborative efforts.
Together, we are making changes for First Nations children now, and for generations to come.
Thank you for the important work each of you do.
I wish you well for the next few days as you share your knowledge and learn from one another.
Yo, Bauji Barra.