Landmark reforms for First Nations children introduced
31st March 2022
I was proud to introduce a set of landmark reforms to the Legislative Assembly today which are aimed at improving child protection laws for First Nations kids in NSW.
The reforms primarily target the extraordinary number of First Nations children in out-of-home care, often separating them from their culture and country. Did you know that First Nations children are 11 times more likely than non-Aboriginal children to end up in out-of-home care? I feel great shame and alarm when I see those figures, as we all should.
These reforms are among the many recommended by the Family Is Culture review undertaken by Professor Megan Davies back in 2019.
The Bill was prepared by The Greens’ David Shoebridge who has spent a lot of time working on this reform. I also acknowledge the Bill’s co-sponsors Jamie Parker MP and Tamara Smith, MP (Greens), Alex Greenwich and Dr Joe McGirr MP (Independents) and Roy Butler MP (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers).
Full debate will resume in May. You can read my introductory speech HERE.