The NSW Premier has released their response to the Special Commission of Inquiry into child protection. The inquiry, headed by Justice James Wood, recommended major reforms to the NSW child protection system including a much stronger role for Aboriginal agencies in securing the well being of children.

The Chairperson of the Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care State Secretariat (AbSec) Amanda Bridge stated “The time is right to acknowledge that Aboriginal people and communities need to be fully engaged in a joint response that will ensure the wellbeing of our children – we have the knowledge, skills and abilities to work with the government and non government sectors to reduce the gross over representation of our children in the child protection, OOHC and Juvenile Justice systems”.

SNAICC and AbSec have applauded the focus on building on the strengths of existing Aboriginal community agencies which will usher in a new era of a collaborative partnership approach to Aboriginal service provision in the child protection and OOHC sector.

Read the NSW response to the Special Commission of Inquiry into child protection [PDF]

See also the AbSec website