Page 4664 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 31 October 2017
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We have established an outcomes framework to provide the basis for evaluation against the current agreement. And, for the first time, ACT government agencies are reporting in detail, via a dedicated section on measures to address and overcome disadvantage, in their 2016-17 annual reports. This is important because, as the agreement recognises, building strong families and connected communities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans is a whole-of-government and whole-of-community responsibility.
In my own portfolio of children and youth I announced in June a review into the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people involved in the child protection system, including those in out of home care. The review’s primary focus will be to inform system-wide improvements that will fully realise the Aboriginal child placement principle in the ACT. In addition, case planning for each child and young person currently involved in the child protection system will be independently reviewed to ensure that those children are thriving and are supported to maintain connections with their family, culture and community.
In July I announced that child and youth protection services is undertaking a family group conferencing pilot specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families at risk of ongoing involvement with child and youth protection services. The pilot includes the employment of two identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander positions, based within the child and youth protection services cultural services team, to undertake the facilitation of family group conferences. This initiative will keep more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families out of the child protection system.
In September legislation was passed establishing in the ACT Australia’s first Reconciliation Day public holiday. This is a change of national significance. The Reconciliation Day public holiday will be celebrated annually on the first Monday on or after 27 May, which is the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and the first day of Reconciliation Week. I take great pride in being a member of a government that is the first to formally recognise and initiate a public holiday in support of reconciliation. The government will work closely with the community and key stakeholders to develop a program of events that promote and celebrate reconciliation in the lead-up to and on the Reconciliation Day public holiday.
All these things make a difference. However, we recognise that there is a great deal more work to do, and this government will continue to work to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are fully engaged with and benefiting from the opportunities of our community.
I am proud to be a member of a community that at its very foundation embraces its ethnic diversity and welcomes people from all parts of the world. In February I had the great privilege of overseeing the National Multicultural Festival for the first time. It was an absolute highlight of my year and, as ever, put Canberra at centre stage of Australian multiculturalism. It is an event we can all be very proud of.
In 2017 the government provided further strength to the diverse foundations of our community by committing $1.4 million over four years to supporting migrants,
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