Close the Gap Day 2025, Federal Budget priorities & She Matters nationwide rallies – SNAICC in the News

The week of 17 March 2025 covers Close the Gap Day 2025, Federal Budget priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families and She Matters: Stop Killing Women nationwide rallies.

On 20 March, Australians observed National Close the Gap Day 2025, with calls for all governments to uphold their commitments to Closing the Gap. In recognition of the day, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children have urged a unified, bipartisan approach to make real change, with SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle speaking on the power of genuine partnership and shared decision-making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in achieving impactful results. She pointed to the success of initiatives like land rights, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have been partners in decisions. Catherine said that change is necessary across all sectors, called on all governments to uphold their commitments to Closing the Gap and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children deserve nothing less.

Ahead of the Federal Budget, SNAICC is urging the government to prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children by committing to funding key initiatives. In a 2025-26 Pre-Budget Submission, SNAICC called for investment in programs that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in their early years, as well as initiatives promoting safety, wellbeing, and connections to family, community, culture and country. SNAICC urged the government to fulfil its commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap by investing in necessary policy reforms, programs and structural changes. SNAICC has put forward 11 priority projects focusing on early years services, workforce development and community-led support. SNAICC Chairperson Muriel Bamblett recently addressed the Senate Inquiry into Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communities, saying that the current funding models and evaluation approaches are insufficient. She spoke on the importance of stronger government commitment and investment to close the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, while also acknowledging the establishment of the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People as a significant step forward.

On Saturday, 15 March, Australians rallied in at least 14 cities and towns across the country in honour of the 117 women who have lost their lives to male violence since the beginning of 2024. Organised by Australian Femicide Watch and the Red Heart Campaign, the She Matters: Stop Killing Women rallies called for increased funding for domestic violence prevention and response services. In Mparntwe/Alice Springs, a minute of silence was held on the courthouse lawns, with each woman’s name, photo and a rose placed in remembrance. SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle was among the speakers, addressing the 117 women who have been killed since 1 January 2024, saying that one death is too many. She spoke on the need for greater investment in families and community-strengthening initiatives, particularly in regional areas. Across the country, communities stood united, demanding action and an end to violence against women.

The Australian Government Department of Education formalised partnership agreements with SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC). These agreements represent a shift in how the Department of Education works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. The agreements recognise the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the importance of genuine collaboration to reform education systems and the crucial role of community leadership in driving better outcomes.

For complete coverage, find the news stories linked below.

Topic: Close the Gap Day 2025

This week, Australians observed National Close the Gap Day 2025 on 20 March, with calls for all governments to uphold their commitments to Closing the Gap.

For over a decade, communities across the country have come together each year on the third Thursday in March for Close the Gap Day to share knowledge and take meaningful action towards achieving health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by 2032.

In recognition of Close the Gap Day 2025, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children has called for a unified, bipartisan approach to make real change. Catherine Liddle said that when there is genuine partnership and shared decision-making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples there is an impactful change in Closing the Gap measures. She said that when all governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, they not only empower communities but also drive better outcomes and lasting change, pointing towards the positive change in areas, such as land rights, where governments have involved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as partners in decisions. Catherine said that change is needed across all sectors and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children deserve nothing less.

This comes as Close the Gap, an independent, Aboriginal-led multi-sector alliance campaign, released its latest report on Wednesday 19 March. The report puts forward 44 recommendations, addressing issues such as Voice, Truth and Treaty, aged care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody, the Stolen Generations and youth justice. Kuku Yalanji man and Close the Gap co-chair Karl Briscoe said that real progress has been made where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have driven the implementation of the Priority Reform Areas. He said the report demonstrates the power of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership when governments listen, trust and act in good faith.

The report has also received strong support from the National Indigenous Health Leadership Alliance and the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA). Susi Tegen, CEO of NRHA, said that whichever government is elected in the next federal election must take responsibility for Closing the Gap and prioritising long-term funding and policy reform in partnership with communities. She said that it is important for all levels of government to work together to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to lead solutions that will shape their futures.

Reflecting on the latest Productivity Commission update on Closing the Gap, Catherine Liddle warned that the update should serve as a wake-up call about the real-life impact of government inaction. The report revealed that only one-third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in early childhood education and care are developmentally on track for school and that governments have made zero improvements in the continuing over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in juvenile justice and child protection systems across Australia.

Catherine said that the cost of this lack of action is directly felt by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and that by failing to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, governments are contributing to a cycle of child removal, criminalisation and systemic disadvantage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. She said that there does not need to be a different approach to Closing the Gap, rather all governments need to keep their word and look at the evidence for what works to change Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life outcomes. She concluded by saying that we can close the gap, but we can’t do it alone and that it is time Australian governments uphold their commitments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For complete coverage on Close the Gap Day 2025, find our Media Release and news stories linked below.

Topic: Federal Budget priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

With the Federal Budget set to be handed down on 25 March, SNAICC is urging the government to prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children by committing funding to key initiatives.

In the 2025-26 Pre-Budget Submission, SNAICC urges the Australian Government to invest in a number of initiatives to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children thrive in their early years, as well as funding for initiatives to support safety, wellbeing, connection to family, community, culture and country. SNAICC urges the Australian Government to make good on its commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap by investing in the policy reform, programs and structural change needed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families thrive. SNAICC has put forward 11 priority projects that focus on early years services, workforce development and community-led support programs, calling for the Australian Government to invest in the following initiatives in its upcoming Budget:

• Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to thrive in their early years through:
  • implementation of a dedicated funding model for ACCO integrated early years services
  • Nest and Nurture Model for new ACCO early years services
  • SNAICC Early Years Support continuation and expansion
  • expansion of the Connected Beginnings program
  • increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early educator workforce
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ECEC workforce development innovation fund
  • continuing and expanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Playgroups
• Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to be safe and well, and connected to their families, communities, cultures, and Country through:
  • resourcing and implementing Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children
  • National ACCO prevention and early support program funding
  • implementing Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence
  • sustainable, ongoing funding for the Office of the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People.

Earlier this month, SNAICC Chairperson Muriel Bamblett appeared before the Senate Inquiry into Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communities alongside Wendy Anders, CEO of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Alliance (NATSIWA). Speaking to Inquiry Chair Senator Dorinda Cox, Aunty Muriel said that current funding models and evaluation approaches are not enough to close the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. She said that the National Agreement on Closing the Gap provides a clear framework for change and that governments must show stronger commitment and investment to make it a reality. She also acknowledged the establishment of the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People as a step forward, pointing towards the work of Safe and Supported and the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership in securing this vital role.

The Australian Government will hand down the Budget on March 25.

For complete coverage, find SNAICC’s Pre-Budget Submission and news stories linked below.

Topic: She Matters: Stop Killing Women nationwide rallies

Australians across the country have called for increased funding for domestic violence prevention and response services, with rallies held in 14 cities and towns on Saturday, 15 March, where attendees honoured the 117 women who have died as a result of male violence since the beginning of 2024.

She Matters: Stop Killing Women is organised by Australian Femicide Watch and the Red Heart Campaign, with the rally bringing attention to Australia’s femicide epidemic, calling for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to roll out meaningful budgetary measures, policy, legal changes and action to end violence against women in Australia. The rallies call for the end of domestic violence, stranger violence, associate violence, femicide, murder, sexual assault, sexual harassment and misogyny.

In Mparntwe/Alice Springs, people gathered on the courthouse lawns for a minute of silence, with each woman’s name, photo and rose placed on the lawn in remembrance. Speakers at the event included Rachael McGuirk, Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia, Connie Shaw, Tangentyere Council, Youth Family Safety Group, Regan Mitchell, Our Watch, Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy and Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children.

At the rally, Connie Shaw said that the violence is getting worse, calling on governments to listen to those working on the frontline.

“We need politicians to listen to the people that’s on the ground doing the work to prevent domestic crime and sexual violence. Listen – support the solutions being put forward by our community, the people that are working on the ground every day to prevent domestic family and sexual violence.” – Connie Shaw.

Rachael McGuirk condemned the government’s inaction, saying that vital funds are being withheld while communities struggle, that the deaths of women are a political issue, and that the government is continuing to gaslight the sector by diverting and withholding much-needed funds.

“When we have a federal government that can send their personal condolences to sailors who died on the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, but to only two of the 117 women we remember here today, then it is political.” – Rachael McGuirk.

Catherine Liddle addressed the 117 women who had been killed since 1 January 2024.

“One death is too many. We know when we’re looking at places like Alice Springs and other regional areas, we see the impacts of what happens when we forget to invest in our families and when we ignore what it takes to create strong communities.” – Catherine Liddle.

Speakers across the country criticised the lack of political will, as reported by ABC News, with Wurundjeri-Ngunnawal woman Regan Mitchell speaking on the double standards in how Aboriginal women’s deaths are treated.

“This violence against women is not a Blackfella problem—it’s an Australia problem. Why are we not outraged when it’s Aboriginal women?” – Regan Mitchell.

At the Boorloo/Perth rally, Yamatji-Noongar woman and Greens Senator Dorinda Cox called for the government to treat this crisis as an emergency and fund it accordingly and said that she is disappointed other politicians did not show up to the rally.

“We need the government to treat this like it is an emergency and fund it like one.” – Dorinda Cox.

In Canberra, Aboriginal social worker Tanya Keed urged the government to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander domestic violence and sexual assault service, as many Aboriginal women are forced to return to violent homes due to a lack of support.

“A lot of our women are homeless and fleeing domestic violence with nowhere to go, and they go back to perpetrators.” – Tanya Keed.

The Meanjin/Brisbane rally carried the message: Say it once, say it again, there’s no excuse for violent men. Among the crowd was Dave Kramer, a close friend of Hannah Clarke, who was murdered alongside her three children in 2020.

“Now I live with the deepest sadness, shame, and regret that I was absent from these events and from the work that needs to be done to end men’s violence.” – Dave Kramer.

Across the country, communities stood in solidarity, demanding action, not just words. The message was clear:

No more excuses. No more silence. End the violence.

Topic: SNAICC and NATSIEC sign Formal Partnership Agreements with the Australian Government Department of Education

The Australian Government Department of Education has formalised new partnership agreements with SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC), signed on 5 March 2025 and 7 March 2025, respectively.

The Formal Parntership Agreements mark a transformative shift in how the Department of Education works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations to improve education outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families—from early childhood through to higher education. Both agreements acknowledge the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures, the need for genuine collaboration to reform education systems and the role of community leadership in achieving better outcomes.

Read the Formal Partnership Agreement with SNAICC and Partnership Agreement with NATSIEC.