AbSec

Racism has no place in our communities. Stand up. Speak out. Disrupt discrimination. Today, on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we reflect on the deep and ongoing impacts of racism—both individual and systemic—that continue to affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across this country. For Aboriginal communities, racism is not just a personal experience—it is embedded in our systems, policies, and institutions. From the child protection system to education, healthcare, housing, and justice, structural racism continues to harm families and deny our people the opportunity to thrive on our own terms. We cannot close the gap without eliminating racial discrimination. AbSec staunchly advocates for a future where Aboriginal children, young people and families are free to grow strong in culture, identity and community—amplifying truth, pushing for justice, and creating systems that centre cultural safety, equity and self-determination. #InternationalDayForEliminationOfRacialDiscrimination #AbSec #AntiRacism #ClosingTheGap #CulturalSafety #DecoloniseSystems #StandAgainstRacism #FirstNationsJustice

This National Close the Gap Day, the message to government is clear: First Nations people know how to close the gap. But progress has been too slow. The reality is that child protection, incarceration, and suicide rates are worsening. It's time for a big change in the systems that perpetuate the gap, and First Nations communities must be resourced to lead this change. We continue to: 🔸Call on the NSW Government to invest in ACCOs and allocate funding in line with Closing the Gap targets 🔸Support AbSec's call for the establishment of a NSW Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Accountability and self-determination must be at the heart of all decisions. 👉 Learn more about the Family Is Culture review: https://lnkd.in/gKYM_GUC #SafeChildren #StrongFamilies #SupportiveCommunities

Project Waterways is heading to Wagga Wagga, Port Macquarie, Gosford, Parramatta and Bourke in April!     After an incredible start in Wollongong, Canberra and Queabeyan, we’re excited to bring Project Waterways to: 💛 Wagga Wagga (Wiradjuri Country) | 1–2 April ❤️ Port Macquarie (Birpai Country) | 1–2 April 🖤 Gosford (Darkinjung Country ) | 7–8 April 💛 Parramatta (Dharug Country) | 10–11 April ❤️ Bourke (Ngemba and Barkindji, Kunya Kooma, and Murrawarri Country) | 7–8 April   This initiative is designed for organisations and individuals funded under the Department of Social Services Outcome 2 who are committed to making a real impact in the lives of Aboriginal children, young people and families.    In collaboration with SNAICC - National Voice for our Children, Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations, and peak bodies, we invite you to a fully-funded, catered two-day workshop where you’ll:    ✅Gain practical strategies for culturally responsive engagement.  ✅Learn tools to break down systemic barriers in child protection.  ✅Connect with sector leaders and like-minded professionals.  ✅Experience a welcoming space with great food!    👉 Secure your place now: https://lnkd.in/gpJ3HtdN  VACCA - Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency yamurrah KWY Aboriginal Corporation Murawin   #AbSecLDC #ProjectWaterways #CulturalLearning #CommunityConnections #ProfessionalDevelopment #DSSfunded

National Close the Gap Day is not just about acknowledging statistics—it’s about demanding systemic change that leads to better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and young people. Despite years of advocacy, the health and wellbeing gaps between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous people in Australia remain unacceptable. These gaps are not the result of individual choices—they are the result of colonisation, racism and exclusion from decision-making. Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations are best placed to drive meaningful change. They are culturally safe, community-led, and understand the needs of our people. That’s why investment in community control is essential. AbSec continues to advocate for solutions that come from community. The time for listening has passed—it’s time to act. Let’s close the gap by walking with communities and funding the services that know us best. #CloseTheGap #HealthEquity #AbSec

Harmony Week is all about celebrating cultural diversity and creating inclusive communities. But here’s the thing—if we really want harmony in this country, it has to start with truth-telling and justice for First Nations peoples. Long before any multicultural layers were added to this land, Aboriginal culture thrived here for over 60,000 years—and it still does today. That culture shouldn’t just be part of the conversation—it should be at the heart of it. We believe harmony isn’t just about feel-good slogans or symbolism. It’s about action—centering Aboriginal voices, respecting self-determination, and challenging systems that continue to marginalise our communities. One powerful example of shifting the conversation is University of Sydney’s 2018 video ‘Ask Us Anything: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’. In it, students and staff respond to real, anonymously submitted questions—like “Is it ever okay to ask how Aboriginal someone is?” It’s a bold, honest way to bust myths and start real conversations about what it’s actually like to be an Indigenous Australian. So this Harmony Week, let’s dig deeper. Let’s learn, unlearn, listen, reflect—and keep pushing for a future where everyone truly belongs, starting with justice for Aboriginal people. #HarmonyWeek #AbSec #EveryoneBelongs #CulturalDiversity #SelfDetermination #TruthTelling #Inclusion #AskUsAnything

📢 Important Announcement for Our Community IPART - Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has released a crucial draft report that could significantly influence the future of out-of-home care (OOHC) funding. This report was commissioned by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to review the cost and pricing arrangements for OOHC services. This includes for Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) who deliver essential care to children under NSW Government contracts. 🗓️ Draft Report Highlights Released on: 14 March 2025 Feedback Deadline: 17 April 2025 Focus: Simplified pricing for outsourced care, increased support for carers, and enhanced accountability for children's essential needs. 🔍 We Need Your Voice!  This is a pivotal moment for ACCOs and Aboriginal carers to impact decisions that affect our children, young people and communities. We urge you to review the draft report and submit your feedback on what is right, what needs improvement, and what is missing.   📄 Resources Available: Draft Report: https://lnkd.in/gQ6SZupt  Information for ACCOs: https://lnkd.in/gYeHPFYK 🤝 AbSec's Involvement AbSec is here to support you through this process. Please contact us at policy@absec.org.au to discuss your feedback, which we will compile and submit to IPART. Stay tuned for details on upcoming IPART briefing sessions tailored for ACCOs.   Let’s make a difference together. Your input is crucial in shaping a system that truly supports our children and young people, and respects our cultural heritage.   #AbSec #ACCOs #OutofHomeCare #CommunityVoice #IPART2025 #AboriginalRights #ChildCare

We're heading back to Sydney for our next Quarterly Sector Forum, happening on Tuesday 27 – Wednesday 28 May 2025. (Location to be announced soon!) This forum lands at a critical time in the calendar year — a pivotal moment to reflect, re-calibrate and drive real sector change. As we move into the second half of 2025, now is the time to amplify Aboriginal voices, empower community leadership, and shape a stronger path forward for our children, young people, families and communities. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gUc8tjSq ● Day One will be open to Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and mob only, creating a culturally safe space to connect, share openly, and strengthen community-led priorities. ● Day Two will be open to all attendees, including partners, allies, and broader stakeholders, to collaborate and work together in advancing the sector. #AbSec #QSF2025 #OurFutureOurVoice #AboriginalLeadership #SectorChange #CommunityLed #ChildAndFamilySector

We must measure what matters — and change what’s not working.   Aboriginal children and young people continue to be removed from their families at alarming rates. In New South Wales alone, our children and young people account for nearly half of all children entering out-of-home care in 2022–23*—a trend that is not improving, but worsening.   AbSec’s submission to the Senate Select Committee highlights the urgent need for investing in our data systems and Indigenous data sovereignty, expanded funding, and Aboriginal-led services to turn this around. We know what works. Our children and young people do best when they grow up safe, connected to culture, Country, and community—not caught in systems that fail to support families from the start. If we’re serious about Closing the Gap, we must demand better outcomes—and that starts with measuring what matters most to our communities, not just what’s convenient for systems.   Let’s be clear: change is possible, but only when Aboriginal communities are leading the solutions. Read the submission here: https://lnkd.in/gacbwUMb *https://lnkd.in/gA3DQKrg   #AboriginalChildren #DataSovereignty #ChildProtection #AbSec #FirstNationsJustice #SystemicChange

Last Saturday, March 8th, marked International Women’s Day—a day to honour the substantial contributions and achievements of women worldwide. Although the day has passed, the spirit of IWD remains strong. This week, we at AbSec continue to celebrate the remarkable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are not just leaders but pioneers advocating for substantial change and shaping a brighter future for all. We honor Marjorie Anderson, the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year 2025, alongside Catherine Liddle, Aunty Muriel Bamblett, Aunty Deb Swan, Lil Gordon, Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, Sue-Anne Hunter, Barkaa, and Talai Elu. Why these women? • Aunty Muriel Bamblett and Sue-Anne Hunter have championed reforms in child welfare and family services, ensuring culturally respectful and supportive environments for Aboriginal children. • Catherine Liddle and Lil Gordon have dedicated their efforts to enhancing educational outcomes and promoting cultural awareness, crucial for empowering the next generation. • Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts and Barkaa have fervently advocated for social justice, focusing on the rights of Indigenous women and bringing critical issues affecting Aboriginal communities to the national forefront. • Marjorie Anderson has been recognised for her outstanding contributions in health and community advocacy, significantly impacting policies and services that support Aboriginal families and children. • Talai Elu has been honoured for her innovative use of technology in preserving Indigenous languages and stories, empowering communities to keep their heritage alive in the digital age. • Aunty Deb Swan, with her deep experience in child protection, has provided invaluable insights into the best practices for supporting Aboriginal families, advocating for a system that understands and respects Aboriginal perspectives on child welfare, as highlighted in her recent Guardian article. These leaders not only narrate tales of personal success; they are foundational to our collective journey towards equity and acknowledgment. Each of these women embodies the resilience, power, and vibrancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and serves as a beacon of inspiration and action. Today, and throughout this week, as we honour these inspiring leaders, let’s also pledge to support and elevate the voices of all women making a difference. How will you “accelerate action” this week to support gender equality and women’s empowerment? Happy belated International Women’s Day! Let’s continue to celebrate our strength and progress. #AccelerateAction #IWD2025 #AbSecEmpowers

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on Dharawal Country for two incredible days of connection, collaboration, and conversation. From thought-provoking discussions to hands-on workshops, we came together to share knowledge, strengthen networks, and set priorities for the future of our sector. 💡 We want to hear from you! Your feedback is invaluable in shaping future forums. Complete the survey: https://lnkd.in/gq9Ztzhw Thank you for being part of this journey—see you at the next Quarterly Sector Forum! 👏✨ #callforabstracts #SaveTheDate #AbSec #QuarterlySectorForum #AbSec #DharawalCountry #EmpoweringCommunities #SouthCoastNSW #AboriginalLeadership #CollaborationForChange