Page 707 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 19 March 2019
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Ms Fanning worked closely with directors-general across government in developing these plans, and I have no doubt that she and the rest of the elected body will continue to hold us to account. There are dozens of actions outlined in the focus area action plans, and some of these will involve a number of policy changes and new or improved programs. I do not have time to talk about them all today, but I wish to highlight a few.
As I have said, strong families continues to be the overarching theme of the agreement and it is therefore not surprising that one of its core focus areas is children and young people. I have spoken extensively about the government’s commitment to addressing the unacceptable over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in out of home care and improving life outcomes for Indigenous children.
There are early signs that changes made over the last few years are having a positive impact on reducing the number of children coming into care, but we know there is more to do. That is why the first action in the focus area action plan is:
Continue to support the Our Booris, Our Way review of the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in the ACT child protection system, and implement initiatives that address the Our Booris, Our Way review recommendations.
It is why improving life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families is a key priority for all four human services directorates, including through the early support by design initiative. It is why the Education Directorate is so committed to cultural integrity, as reflected in a range of actions across focus areas—actions such as providing pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to access universal quality early childhood education for three-year-old children as a key part of the ACT Early Childhood Strategy and creating dedicated learning environments in schools and education institutions where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is nurtured, celebrated and shared with the broader community.
A range of actions under the economic participation focus area reflect the strengths-based approach the elected body has taken to the agreement. Among other things, the government has committed to implement the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement policy and to link Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and entrepreneurs to programs and activities that support existing and new businesses.
Consultations on the draft Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement policy recently closed, and I am looking forward to finalising the policy, as Minister for Government Services and Procurement, within the next few months. I have welcomed the engagement in the consultation process by both Aboriginal community controlled organisations and businesses.
In addition, applications recently closed for the new and emerging organisation support program to support new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled organisations in the ACT. Over the last few years, we have seen new grassroots
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