People across the country need to prioritise the rights of Indigenous children this election, "because they depend on it".
With the election jusr days away, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, the peak body for First Nations children, says closing the gap starts with children, with Australians being reminded "how important their vote is to their future".
Currently, First Nations children are incarcerated and removed from their families into out-of-home care (OOHC) at a disproportionate rate compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts, often with "minimal access to early intervention and diversion programs".
In the lead up to Saturday's election, SNAICC chief executive Catherine Liddle said they are "encouraging Australians to look for bold, transformative policies from our major parties — policies that can change the trajectory for our children".
"That means committing to a universal Early Childhood Education and Care system, investing in programs delivered by community-controlled services on the ground and investing in culturally safe family supports," Ms Liddle said.
"If you care about children, invest in what keeps them safe and strong – connections to family, quality early education and care with services that help our children understand who they are."
SNAICC said they are focused on two key areas this election: ensuring Indigenous children thrive in their early years and delivering real action on Closing the Gap.
This includes implementing the findings of the Productivity Commission report and a dedicated funding model for Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) integrated early years services.
Furthermore, they have urged a commitment to a universal Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) system prioritising and recognising the "unique circumstances" of First Nations children and families.
Earlier this month, SNAICC welcomed the Greens' $29 billion plan for universal, high-quality ECEC, which would include treating early education like public school, providing every child 50 hours of free ECEC a week, as well as extending universal access to preschool to 30 hours a week for all four- and three-year-old children.
The announcement came in the wake of Labor passing legislation in February which abolished the Liberal-era Activity Test, allowing families to access three days a week of subsidised early childhood education regardless of how much they work or study, in a move long-called for by the Indigenous ECEC sector.
Labor has said families earning between $50,000 to $100,000 will be better off under the legislation, arguing they are expected to save an average of $1,460 per year, and was welcomed by Indigenous organisations.
The Coalition say they will overturn the policy and reinstate the activity test if they are elected, in a move labelled "retrograde" and a "damaging move" which will "set back" Indigenous children.
Ms Liddle said SNAICC's priorities are rooted in "what works, grounded in evidence, and shaped by the voices of our communities".
"When children are strong, communities are strong, because every part of the system works together. This election is an opportunity to make our children, families, and communities stronger," she said.
