A new "tri-state child protection initiative" was launched in Mparntwe / Alice Springs on Tuesday, with the NPY Women's Council in partnership with the Northern Territory, South Australian, Western Australian and federal governments.
The Ngura Kutja pilot program will deliver an integrated and simplified child protection system for children and families across the Central Australian region of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Lands.
Meaning "one place", Ngura Kutja has long been advocated by the NPY Women's Council (NPYWC), and is an Aṉangu-led solution shaped by decades of advocacy from Aṉangu and Yarnangu leaders.
The 12-month joint pilot is supported by the federal government, including $259,484 in funding, and brings together an NPYWC coordinator and child protection staff from the NT, SA and WA into one co-located team working alongside communities.
For many of the 6,000 Aṉangu and Yarnangu people living across the NPY Lands, life spans three jurisdictions, with three different governments coordinating child protection responses.
Ngura Kutja aims to respond directly to long-standing calls for a more coordinated approach to ensure borders no longer limit a child's connection to Country and family.
Margaret Smith, a Yankunytjatjara woman from the Imanpa Community and NPYWC Chair, said the project was the culmination of years of community advocacy.
"We have been talking about three states, three governments and three sets of rules for a long time — and how hard that is for our families," she said.
"Ngura Kutja is about one place, one number and one story for our families."
Senior Aṉangu Elder Rene Kulitja said the initiative reflected the shared connection across communities.
"From these three states, our Tjukurpa is as one. We want to work together, stand together, hold hands and move forward together," she said.
Ngura Kutja responds to priorities under Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2021-2031, with federal Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek noting children thrive when connected to community and culture.
"For too long, families have had to navigate three sets of rules to keep their children safe, often talking to different organisations with different workers and little shared understanding. This initiative changes that," Ms Plibersek said.
"I want to thank the NPY Women's Council for their years of advocacy and congratulate them on this important milestone."
NT Child Protection Minister Robyn Cahill said the government was "proud to support an initiative shaped by community and grounded in local knowledge".
"This is what working in genuine partnership looks like - listening to communities and building solutions together," she said.
SA Child Protection Minister Alice Rolls said the initiative was "about making sure families receive consistent, coordinated support, no matter where they are in the region".
"It's an important step toward improving how we work together to achieve better outcomes for children," she said.
WA Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski said Ngura Kutja reflected the governments' shared commitment to improving service delivery.
"Children and families don't live by jurisdictional boundaries, and our systems need to reflect that. Working together across borders allows us to provide more consistent and connected support," Ms Stojkovski said.
