Question - Aborginal and Torres Strait Islanders

(1)          The ‘Our Booris Our Way Final Report’ (December 2019) recommends that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principles are ‘explicitly designed into policy and practice’ (p 75) and ‘explicitly enshrined in legislation’ (p 77). These principles include ‘The participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representatives, external to the statutory agency, is required in all child protection decision making, including intake, assessment, intervention, placement and care, including judicial decision making processes’. As the Government has formally agreed to this recommendation, and Minister Stephen-Smith signed up to the Family Matters commitment in September 2017, which includes the application and implementation of these principles, are any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representatives, external to Child and Youth Protection Services, currently participating in decision making as noted in this principle; if so, who, how, how often, and in what areas (intake, assessment, intervention, placement and care, including judicial decision-making processes, etc.); if not, why not and when will the commitment to implementing this principle be fulfilled.

(2)          When will the ACT Government amend the Children and Young People Act to include these principles, as recommended.