8 MAY 2024
Despite tight fiscal conditions, the 2024/25 State Budget has still provided new and meaningful investment to improve the lives of Aboriginal children in Victoria.
Aboriginal children thrive in healthy, strong, and safe families, and valuing and investing in our children and families now pays dividends in the future.
This budget continues to support the work of the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) through funding for education, family violence supports, support for young people and families at risk of homelessness, and for those engaged with the youth justice system.
As the peak voice for Aboriginal children in Victoria, VACCA will continue to lead innovative and impactful work in our communities to strengthen families.
VACCA CEO, Associate Professor Muriel Bamblett AO, said “the Government’s commitment last year to investing in Aboriginal decision-making being placed in Aboriginal hands is already making a difference in child protection, as we see fewer unnecessary child removals.”
“While an uplift in Close the Gap funding wasn’t a feature in yesterday’s budget, VACCA will continue to keep children safely with their families, and lead on building the Aboriginal evidence base on what we know works to get better outcomes,” she continued.
We know that strong families, safe children, and stable housing are worth the investment, especially in tough times, and the 2024/25 largely delivers support in these key areas.
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. No child should have to face poverty, housing instability and violence.
“Victoria is the only State that allocates proportionate funding to Aboriginal led services and supports. There is so much more to be done, so we welcome this new investment in accountability and reinforces that It’s Time,” Prof. Bamblett said.
“It’s time for Aboriginal women and children survivors of family violence to be seen and heard before they are murdered or go missing. Privileging culture and prevention is too often missed in budgets. Yesterday’s commitment to truth, healing, strong families, and safe children is welcomed,” she continued.
- ENDS -
FOR RELEASE –
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.