Communique, Shared Decision-Making Committee 30 July 2024
On 30 July 2024, the Safe and Supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group (Leadership Group) came together with Community Services Ministers from across Australia in Canberra for the second Safe and Supported Shared Decision-Making Committee (the Committee) meeting. The Group acknowledged they were meeting on the lands of the Ngunnawal people, and also acknowledged the connection of other people and families to Country.
Safe and Supported is Australia's leading national strategy to achieve Target 12 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care by 45% by 2031. The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to progress on this target to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
The meeting was the first since the Productivity Commission released its Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, recognising that governments have significant work to do to move away from business as usual approaches to share decision-making. In this context, the Committee reaffirmed the Australian and state and territory governments' continued commitment to working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Committee considered further areas in which shared decision-making through the work of Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2021-2031 (Safe and Supported) can be explored and discussed how to work together to best support activities under the Safe and Supported First two Action Plans. The Committee discussed requirements needed to deliver on the Action Plans and to work closely with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group on work underway within each state and territory to ensure it is done in partnership.
The Committee acknowledged the vital role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Commissioners and appreciated work to progress the development of Minimum Requirements for these positions and similar roles. While some jurisdictions relayed their intention to progress to implementation, it was agreed that further consultation was required in order for the Committee to agree the Minimum Requirements. This is a key action from the Safe and Supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Action Plan 2023-2026 and once agreed will be a great step forward in improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
As part of this discussion, the Committee discussed progress to establish a National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, and reaffirmed the commitment to establishing an empowered and legislated National Commissioner to promote and protect the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The Committee also reaffirmed the importance of developing this role together with First Nations people.
The Committee also considered recommendations on how to increase health checks for First Nations children in out-of-home care. Governments recognised that it is a priority to ensure First Nations children and young people in out-of-home care have improved health care outcomes. The Leadership Group highlighted that more work is needed alongside health checks to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have access to supports and services that address their health care needs.
Lastly, the Committee discussed the important alignment of the Targeting Entrenched Disadvantage Package with the goals of Safe and Supported. The Package has a strong focus on intergenerational disadvantage and improving child and family wellbeing. Members discussed the integral connection to Safe and Supported and opportunities in areas such as early intervention, improved information and data sharing, shared decision-making, and responding to communities with complex needs.
