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“Ending Paternalism: New Leadership, New Partnerships”

SNAICC statement in response to Prime Minister Elect Kevin Rudd's announcement of the new cabinet.

SNAICC welcomes appointment of Jenny Macklin, MP to Indigenous Affairs portfolio

Muriel Bamblett speaking on the NT intervention 2007 photo courtesy Priscilla Brice-Weller/ANTaR

29 November 2007 - SNAICC, the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, welcomes the appointment of Jenny Macklin, MP as the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

SNAICC Chairperson Muriel Bamblett said, “Quite rightly the new government has set ambitious targets to ‘halve the gap in mortality rates between Indigenous and non Indigenous children under the age of five within a decade, and halve the gap in reading, writing and numeracy achievement within a decade by introducing a comprehensive package focusing on Indigenous children’s early years’, as stated in the ALP’s policy on Indigenous children.”

Ms Bamblett said, “Work must start straight away on that package of measures to close the gap. Priorities to get moving with in the government’s first 100 days of office should include:

Initiating a major expansion of Indigenous early childhood centres and programs Working with SNAICC and others to develop culturally relevant Indigenous parenting and family support programs Establishing a new national Indigenous advisory structure to guide Indigenous policy

Reviewing the Northern Territory intervention against the best international evidence of what works in child protection Expanding school facilities and the workforce in the NT to give all children access to education
Consulting with communities and organisations to develop the National Apology for consideration by Parliament, and Creating a National Children's Commission to establish and monitor national standards to reduce the abuse and neglect of Indigenous children.”

“Ms Macklin continuing in the Indigenous Affairs portfolio provides a great opportunity to press ahead with these priorities. Our door is open. SNAICC has ample evidence of what works – what makes a positive difference in the lives of families and children,” Ms Bamblett said.

She added, “I liked Mr Rudd’s speech on election night, especially his acknowledgement of Indigenous Australians and his commitment to move on from the old divisions and old ways of doing things. For us this means doing away with paternalism and the ‘shared responsibility agreements’ framework which created lengthy consultations but few results. With Ms Macklin’s established knowledge of the portfolio, SNAICC is confident that new partnerships based on respect and trust will follow.”

Source: SNAICC

Further information: NT intervention issues page - includes news index and external links