Today the Victorian Government announced that it has accepted 28 of the 46 recommendations made by the Yoorrook Justice Commission, either in full or in principle.
VACCA stands firm on our position that if Government refuses to redress the wrongs of historical child protection policy and practice and focus on redressing past injustices as well as current, we haven't learnt.
Muriel Bamblett, CEO of VACCA, the peak Voice for Aboriginal children in Victoria for 47 years, said “the Yoorrook recommendations delivered in September 2023 failed to make one recommendation regarding past injustices and remains a serious oversight that Government could have addressed themselves today. It is sad that justice for the past is still not a priority when it is the foundation for so much trauma today.”
Today’s response by Government did however reinforce that meaningful change is achievable through shared decision making and with Aboriginal people in the driver's seat.
Mrs Bamblett added “today's response is disappointing, not because we had to wait 6 months, but because the past Premier and the Minister for Children kickstarted our reform work through the 2023 State Budget.”
“VACCA and the Sector wrote our own blueprint for reform while we were waiting, and we are getting on with the job of transforming the child protection system through action.
The real story is that in 4 short months we have already seen a reduction in unnecessary child removals and more Aboriginal children reunified with the families by VACCA taking on child protection investigations,” Mrs Bamblett continued.
The biggest positive result from today's response is the commitment to getting children assessed for disability and delay sooner.
“Disability assessments will finally let VACCA stop children being criminalised for having a disability and get them and their families the support they need to stay safe and at home”, she said.
Strong leadership is at the heart of meaningful reform, and VACCA will continue to lead the way on reforms to child protection. We will continue to work alongside the Premier, Minister for Children, and other ACCOs to overhaul the child protection system and give greater control to Aboriginal people to see better life outcomes for these children and all Victorians.
Quotes attributable to Muriel Bamblett, VACCA CEO:
"Today’s government response to Yoorrook belies the work already underway after their findings were handed down last September, and of the then Andrews government's commitment in December to a reformed system."
"VACCA and the Aboriginal sector wrote our own blueprint for reform and we are getting on with the job of transforming the child protection system through action."
"Strong leadership is at the heart of meaningful reform and VACCA will continue to lead the way on child protection reform. We will continue to work alongside the Premier, Minister for Children and other ACCOs to overhaul the child protection system and give greater control to Aboriginal people to see better life outcomes for these children and all Victorians."
"The real story is that in 4 short months we have already seen a reduction in unnecessary child removals and more Aboriginal children reunified with the families by VACCA taking on child protection investigations."
"Change is achievable through shared decision making and Aboriginal people in the driver's seat."
"The biggest positive result from today's response is the commitment to getting children assessed for disability and delay sooner. This will finally let VACCA stop children being criminalised for having a disability and get them the support they need to stay safe and at home."
"VACCA stands firm on the missed opportunity to redress the wrongs of the past given so many of our families have experienced generational removal and our current systems are failing to break the cycle."
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Beth Cesarin - Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
PH: 0439 117 408 E: bethc@vacca.org
Sarah Gafforini – Director, Office of the CEO VACCA
T: 0427 621 421/ E: sarahg@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.