Free, Universal Childhood Education and Care plan welcomed by SNAICC – SNAICC in the News

The week of 7 April 2025 covers support for Greens’ proposed free, universal childhood education and care plan, alongside calls from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations for bipartisan commitment to children’s wellbeing, health and family safety.

SNAICC – National Voice for our Children welcomed the Australian Greens’ proposal for free, universal early childhood education and care, with Arrernte and Luritja woman Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, pointing out its potential to reduce access barriers and strengthen support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through investment in culturally safe, community-controlled services. The plan commits to 50 hours of free care per week for all children and expanded preschool access for three- and four-year-olds, with targeted investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations.

Catherine spoke on the importance of early childhood education and care interventions in reducing juvenile offending rates, pointing towards growing evidence of a link between children entering out-of-home care and involvement with the juvenile justice system. She said that improved access to culturally safe, high-quality early childhood education and care services will help ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are developmentally ready for school and have the support they need to thrive. Catherine said that Closing the Gap begins with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, saying that it makes good sense for politicians to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services with sustainable, long-term funding.

As the federal election draws near, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations are outlining clear policy priorities and urging action from all political parties. SNAICC has so far called for evidence-based reforms that prioritise universal childcare access, culturally safe supports and community-led interventions to address the disproportionate number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being removed from their families. Catherine said this is not the time for fear-driven policies but for solutions that centre children, families and community voices.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, including VACCHO, QAIHC and IAHA, are calling for fairer health funding, stronger planning partnerships and long-term investments in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce. The organisations are calling out the need for structural reform and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health services as essential components of Australia’s health system.

For full coverage, find the news stories linked below.

Topic: SNAICC welcomes proposed free, universal childhood education and care plan

SNAICC – National Voice of our Children has strongly supported the Australian Greens’ proposal this week to implement free, universal childhood education and care.

The Greens’ plan aims for long-term reform, focusing on providing high-quality, free, universal early childhood education and care to ensure all children have access to the education they deserve while supporting parents in their careers and personal lives. The policy commits to treating early education similarly to public schooling, granting every child 50 hours of free early childhood education and care per week. Additionally, universal access to preschool will be extended to 30 hours per week for all three- and four-year-olds. With an estimated cost of $29 billion over the forward estimates, the plan aims to eliminate barriers to access, regardless of a child’s location or family income.

Arrernte and Luritja woman Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, has expressed strong support for the Greens’ commitment to universal free early childhood education and care, particularly their focus on investing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations. She spoke of the critical role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and services have in ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have access to quality early childhood education and care services. Catherine pointed out that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations and services see higher engagement levels from families. She also spoke on the importance of early childhood education and care interventions in reducing juvenile offending rates, pointing towards growing evidence of a link between children entering out-of-home care and involvement with the juvenile justice system. She said that improved access to culturally safe, high-quality early childhood education and care services will help ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are developmentally ready for school and have the support they need to thrive.

The Greens’ policy also includes targeted support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled services, funding for inclusive care and strategies to address educator shortages within the sector. Furthermore, the party advocates for greater investment in early education and care services nationwide, funding that has long been advocated by SNAICC. Catherine said that Closing the Gap begins with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, which means it makes good sense for Federal politicians to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services with sustainable, long-term funding.

The Greens’ proposal builds on recent reforms passed by the Labor government, which abolished the Activity Test, expanding access to subsidised early childhood education for families, regardless of work or study commitments. While Labor has highlighted that families earning between $50,000 and $100,000 will see significant savings from this change, the Coalition has yet to provide details on their childcare policies, having voted against the abolition of the Activity Test. Catherine said that SNAICC looks forward to the Coalition announcing its plans for early childhood education and care during the election campaign, and has commended the Greens’ policy, urging bipartisan support for initiatives that benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

For full coverage, find our media release and the relevant news stories linked below.

Topic: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations call for election priorities focused on health, wellbeing and bipartisan support

As the federal election approaches, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations have begun announcing their priorities, with SNAICC – National Voice for our Children urging a bipartisan approach to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children get the best start in life.

Catherine Liddle has stressed that addressing the national disgrace of the disproportionately high rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being removed from their families must be a priority for all political parties. She called for an approach that transcends politics and focuses on evidence-based policies that support children and families. This includes investing in culturally safe family supports, a universal childcare system and community-led intervention programs. Catherine spoke on the importance of creating policies that work, rather than fueling fear-driven narratives that do not benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

In line with these calls, several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations are also pushing for significant reforms ahead of the federal election, as reported by Crikey Media:

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)

VACCHO’s ‘Speak Out’ campaign aims to engage Australians in a discussion about the upcoming federal election and its importance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In their election platform, VACCHO advocates for expanding the Indigenous Australians Health Programme (IAHP), ensuring fair funding for Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations, and creating working groups for Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations to collaborate with government departments. Additionally, they call for new training initiatives and funding for research that better reflects Aboriginal family needs.

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC)

QAIHC is pushing for fair and transparent funding for Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations, calling for the recognition of Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations and services as integral parts of Australia’s health system. The organisation is demanding more involvement in health service planning and delivery, along with clearer, evidence-based funding models. They also seek commitments from political leaders to address systemic issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, especially regarding health and socioeconomic outcomes.

Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA)

IAHA calls for targeted investment in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework, saying that there is a need for stronger government leadership in growing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce. They also advocate for reform in health education and training, with a focus on place-based solutions, as well as the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to guide Closing the Gap reforms.

Across the board, organisations are seeking long-term, sustainable investments in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led services that empower communities to drive their own solutions and ensure that all children have access to the best opportunities for a healthy and prosperous future. SNAICC’s call for bipartisan support is supported by other organisations, urging all political parties to commit to policies that support the wellbeing and safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, providing the necessary resources for community-led programs and interventions that make a real difference.