2 MAY 2025
On the eve of the federal election, the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) calls on all parties and independents to support initiatives through policy commitments to ensure that Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) can continue vital work to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and young people.
“During this election cycle, culture wars have taken priority over the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal people, and we have watched political parties across the spectrum retreating from their commitments to Indigenous rights,” said VACCA CEO Muriel Bamblett.
“Our children deserve nothing less than an ongoing commitment from all politicians to policies and systems that uphold their rights and protect their safety. We must ensure that this is where our collective focus remains.”
The upcoming election presents an opportunity to refocus on practical steps to address the systemic inequity experienced by Aboriginal children and communities.
“VACCA’s priority, now and into the future, is ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people, and the strengthening of families so that children can thrive,” said Ms Bamblett. “It is essential that governments at all levels continue to support ACCOs to do this vital work.”
With Closing the Gap routinely failing to meet its targets, Aboriginal children continuing to be removed from family and community at alarming rates, Aboriginal people continuing to be disproportionately represented in the justice system, and family violence remaining at epidemic levels, continued investment in programs and services to protect our people and communities remains critical.
“The impact of family violence, homelessness and poverty on child protection involvement and education attendance and attainment is apparent in rates of child removals and poorer education outcomes for Aboriginal children,” said Ms Bamblett.
“No child should have to face poverty, housing instability and violence. We know that valuing and investing in our children and families now through evidence based, Aboriginal-led solutions will pay dividends in the future.”
VACCA has advocated for the rights of Aboriginal children, families and communities in Victoria for over 47 years. We are one of Australia’s largest ACCOs and work across sectors including child and family welfare, family violence, justice and homelessness.
Our experience and knowledge through service provision, research and advocacy, with and for Aboriginal people, supports us to operate in the best interests of our community, now and into the future.
View VACCA’s election platform: https://www.vacca.org/page/news/news/federal-election-2025-supporting-aboriginal-communities-now-and-into-the-future/
- ENDS -
FOR RELEASE –
Beth Cesarin - Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
PH: 0472 505 780 E: bethc@vacca.org
ABOUT VACCA - www.vacca.org
The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is Victoria’s Peak Voice for Aboriginal children. We are the leading provider of Aboriginal child and family services, and the largest provider of services for Aboriginal family violence and homelessness. We have been supporting children, young people, and families in the community for over 47 years as an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO).
Through our vision of self-determination – Live, Experience, and Be – we exist to support culturally strong, safe, and thriving Aboriginal communities. We deliver over 80 programs across Victoria including child and family services, family violence, support for stolen generations, child protection, cultural strengthening programs, mental health, financial services, justice and redress support, early years, and homelessness services.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we work. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present, and to their children and young people who are the future elders and caretakers of this great land.