Recommendation 113

The Australian Government is committed to addressing the underlying issues that bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in to contact with the child protection and criminal justice systems through a variety of programmes and policies. The Safety and Wellbeing Programme, funded under the Australian Government's Indigenous Advancement Strategy, aims at ensuring communities are safe. More information can be found on the Community safety page on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

State and territory governments have primary responsibility for child protection laws and the criminal justice system. The Australian Government provides services for families and children, including targeted services for vulnerable families, and provides the family law system and the federal criminal law system.

The Australian Law Reform Commission has conducted an inquiry into the incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and tabled the resulting report Pathways to Justice in March 2018. The Australian Government is considering the report's recommendations.

Through the Council of Australian Governments, the Australian Government works with state and territory governments on the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020. The framework has a focus on supporting Indigenous children and keeping them safe in their families and communities. A key priority under the Fourth Action Plan (2018-2020) of the National Framework will be to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at risk of entering, or in child protection systems.

For information on state and territory policies and programmes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, visit:

• Australian Capital Territory – Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
• New South Wales – Office of Communities—Aboriginal Affairs
• Northern Territory – Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Queensland – Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
• South Australia – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Community Advice and Support
• Tasmania – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Victoria – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Victoria
• Western Australia – Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage

For information about state and territory child protection arrangements, visit:

• Australian Capital Territory – Child and Youth Protection Services
• New South Wales – Child protection services
• Northern Territory – Territory Families
• Queensland – Child Safety, Youth and Women
• South Australia – Department for Child Protection
• Tasmania – Child Protection Services
• Victoria – Child Protection
• Western Australia – Child Protection and Family Support