25 OCT 2024
The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is disappointed by the limited progress shown by the Victorian Government in implementing recommendations made by the Yoorrook Justice Commission in September 2023.
The Victorian Government Implementation Progress Report: Yoorrook for Justice was released last week, showing a lack of progress towards the six supported recommendations and 24 recommendations supported in principle of the 46 total recommendations made by Yoorrook.
To date, the opportunities for transformative change provided by the evidence heard by Yoorrook and VACCA’s Legislative Reform Project have not been realised.
Acting in self-determination, VACCA, in collaboration with other Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), has substantially progressed the drafting of a stand-alone child protection Act for Aboriginal children and families - an initiative that is truly “Aboriginal-led”. This self-funded work undertaken by VACCA provides the Government with a unique opportunity to transform the system for Aboriginal children, however, there has been a lack of engagement from Government in seizing this opportunity.
“Community Protecting Boorais is our Aboriginal-led response to child protection reports, supporting Aboriginal families in a way that is grounded in culture, self-determination, and human rights. We have seen success with improved reunification rates, but we are only funded to support a limited number of families,” said VACCA CEO Muriel Bamblett,
Where implementation has occurred, it is not sufficiently Aboriginal-led, prompting the need for agreed upon standards and criteria to ensure the Victorian Aboriginal community are leading the process. Strong representation from the ACCO sector to monitor implementation is needed to ensure the process is transparent and self-determined.
“We are in a position to put Aboriginal voices in the room. We have evidence and can demonstrate that what we do makes a difference,” said Ms Bamblett. “What we need now is progress on these recommendations – transformative change takes time but there are recommendations that can be acted on now.”
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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.
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.