Released 04/08/2025 - Joint media release
The ACT Government is proud to celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day and this year’s theme, ‘Little Footsteps, Big Future’, a reminder of the importance of community, culture and connection to Country in helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children grow strong in identity and thrive throughout their lives.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Suzanne Orr said the ACT Government remains committed to working in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve outcomes for children and young people.
“This is a day to reflect on the vital role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, communities and organisations in supporting children to grow up strong in culture,” Minister Orr said.
“While there is more work to do, we are progressing reforms and delivering programs that prioritise culturally safe, community-led approaches across health, education, child protection and youth justice.”
“I acknowledge and thank our partners in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community for their vital advocacy and contributions to shaping reform. Their leadership is resulting in better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the ACT.”
Some of the key initiatives underway include:
- Birthing on Country Model of Care – Co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to bring culture and connection into maternity care
- Perinatal case management – Holistic support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies, connecting them with health, culture and social services
- New Gugan Gulwan facility – A purpose-built space to deliver culturally safe supports for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Expansion of Koori Preschools – Increased places and cultural learning opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–5
- Connection to Country excursions – Birrigai Outdoor School programs offered to early childhood education services
- Waruga Yardhura – A support service helping school-aged children re-engage with education through family-centred, culturally responsive support
- Our Booris, Our Way reforms – Embedding self-determination and Aboriginal decision-making into the child protection system
- Support for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) – Strengthening local services through the Establishment and Expansion Fund
- ACT Aboriginal Children’s Forum – Service delivery ACCOs and government working together to improve systems and policies for Aboriginal children
These actions reflect the ACT Government’s commitment to listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and acting on community-led priorities to support children and families. These approaches are also complemented by the introduction of new therapeutic supports system in line with raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 and addressing overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the justice system.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education and Early Childhood, Yvette Berry MLA:
“From early childhood to high school, we are investing in programs that celebrate culture, promote aspiration and support learning.
"Whether it’s Koori Preschools, Connection to Country excursions or Mura Awards, we want every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student to feel seen, supported and proud of their identity.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA:
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is a time to celebrate the strength, culture and future of First Nations children and their families.
“Keeping parents safe, healthy and confident throughout pregnancy, birth and the early weeks and months of a child’s life lays the foundation for their wellbeing. That’s why we’re working with community to co-design a Birthing on Country model of care. This is a powerful step in Closing the Gap and ensuring every baby born on Ngunnawal Country has the best start in life.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Michael Pettersson MLA:
“The ACT Government recognises the critical importance for getting it right for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and we are committed to doing everything we can so they can thrive and grow strong connected to culture. We are delivering systemic reform, innovative programs, and initiatives that strengthen the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) sector.”
“We recognise the strength in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, and it is incumbent on us to make sure they have access to early, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate support if they need it.”
“The recent decline in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care in the ACT is a result of improvements in family preservation and support systems.”
Quotes attributable to Natalie Brown, Chair of the Our Booris, Our Way Implementation Oversight Committee:
“The Our Booris Our Way Implementation Oversight Committee remains committed to doing everything we can for the little footsteps and the big futures of our children and young people. The theme highlights the importance of nurturing children's voices, and hopes for the future, and we started our review hearing the voices of our children and families and their experiences of the Out of Home Care system. This year’s theme reflects the hope we hold for our children to grow up strong in family, culture and identity in order to experience futures of their own design and desires. While Children’s Day is a powerful moment for celebration, its message is one that carries through the entire year. We see the next generations glowing with pride as they practice their inherent rights as sovereign peoples and we also glow with pride for them. Our committee members have raised our children here and we have lived-living experience and expertise of the ACT Out of Home Care system. The experiences of the children are held strongly in our hearts and whilst we always feel like change is too slow and we can never do enough, our message is that your experiences drive our determination to make change, so your footsteps walk you towards a big future that keeps you and your families strong in culture.”
- Statement ends -
Suzanne Orr, MLA | Yvette Berry, MLA Deputy Chief Minister | Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Michael Pettersson, MLA | Media Releases