SNAICC in the News – $70.4 million Australian Government investment in First Nations Early Childhood Activities

The week of 11 November 2024 covers the announcement of a $70.4 million Australian Government investment over two years to support early childhood programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in Australia, findings from the National Community Attitudes towards Violence Against Women Survey and Jamie Oliver’s children’s book controversy.

The announcement earlier this week of a $70.4 million Australian Government investment over two years under its Indigenous Advancement Strategy is dedicated to the expansion of early childhood support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. This funding will support 188 programs across Australia, through 173 organisations in areas such as facilitated playgroups ($16.8 million), integrated early childhood services ($15.5 million), family and kinship support ($14.5 million), early learning activities ($14.1 million), and family and community engagement ($9.4 million). Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy praised this initiative for promoting school readiness and cultural education. SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle welcomed the funding, saying that it has a key role in empowering Aboriginal-led services and helping to close the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The latest report from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) reveals a need to address systemic racism and cultural barriers in services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. The survey gathered responses from 442 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, detailing low levels of trust in policing, judicial and social services. ANROWS CEO Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine said that overcoming systemic racism and the impacts of colonisation is essential for creating safe environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. In an ABC News discussion, Catherine Liddle said that the findings confirm what many communities already know—that systemic barriers in policing, judicial, and social services undermine the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. Find the report here: Attitudes Matter: 2021 NCAS Findings for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Respondents.

This week, Jamie Oliver’s children’s book Billy and the Epic Escape faced calls for removal from shelves from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers, advocates and organisations because of its culturally inappropriate and inaccurate portrayal of an Aboriginal character. Proud Bardi and Kija person Sharon Davis, from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC), said the book trivialises and stereotypes First Nations peoples and experiences, calling the book harmful and disrespectful. Kooma and Nguri author Cheryl Leavy advocated for authentic representation of First Nations peoples in publishing to be led by First Nations voices. Catherine Liddle voiced similar concerns during an ABC News discussion, pointing to My Dad’s Gone Away, co-authored by Andrew Krakouer a proud Minang (Nyoongar) and Inggarda (Yamatji) man, as an example of respectful, culturally informed children’s literature on difficult topics. Oliver and his publishing company have since pulled the book from sale, expressing regret for the oversight.

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

https://www.snaicc.org.au/70-4-million-australian-government-investment-in-first-nations-early-childhood-activities-snaicc-in-the-news/