Continued funding for SNAICC’s Early Years Support & ECCDPP – SNAICC in the News

For the week of 16 December 2024, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children welcomed the confirmation of continued funding for its Early Years Support program and an $11.4 million extension of the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership.

The Early Years Support (EYS) and Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership (ECCDPP) funding were confirmed in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), with SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle praising the programs for their focus on the early childhood development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children pointing towards the emphasis on community-driven support and strong partnerships. Catherine also spoke of the transformative impact of these services, stressing that Closing the Gap begins with children and the services that support them.

The Federal Government has also announced funding for initiatives aimed at improving inclusion for people living with disability, with a particular focus on First Nations children and their families. SNAICC and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) will receive funding to support First Nations children living with disability, their families and the early childhood education workforce.

Catherine Liddle appeared on the 7am Podcast this week to talk about Alice Springs’ youth crime crisis. She criticised punitive measures such as spit hoods and lowering the age of criminal responsibility as ineffective, instead advocating for diversionary programs that address the root causes of crime, such as poverty and trauma, and pointed towards the importance of community-led solutions and increased Australian Government support.

In an article released by IBNews this week, Catherine reflected on a successful 2024 for SNAICC, pointing to key recent achievements including the launch of the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan and the 2024 Family Matters Report, which showcased the strengths of Aboriginal community-controlled organisations in delivering out-of-home care services. SNAICC also hosted two major national gatherings—the Early Years Support National Gathering and the Connected Beginnings National Gathering—bringing together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations from across Australia. These events were crucial in sharing strategies for supporting children and families, and SNAICC is now preparing for the 11th National SNAICC Conference on Yuggera/Turrbal Country in Meanjin in 2025.

On 19 December, Catherine Liddle appeared on ABC News Breakfast discussing the importance of educational milestones for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Catherine took the opportunity to stress the need for proactive solutions to ensure children feel safe and supported in school, and spoke of concerns about rising incarceration rates in the Northern Territory and called for improved social services to prevent children from entering the justice system. Catherine also spotlighted Gooniyandi-Miriwong Kadjerong man Scott Wilson’s creation of the Indigiverse, a superhero comic book series grounded in Aboriginal culture. Through his work, Wilson aims to provide an inspiring, culturally connected narrative that empowers young people to stay connected to their culture.

For more details, check out our media releases and the linked news stories below.

https://www.snaicc.org.au/continued-funding-for-snaiccs-early-years-support-eccdpp-snaicc-in-the-news/