The Queensland Government has recognised that the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care will escalate to over 50 per cent in the next 5 years if urgent action is not progressed.3 Progressing an agenda to address overrepresentation should be a leading priority in the reform of the Act, reflecting the state government’s commitment “to acknowledge the deep and enduring historical trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families dealing with the child protection system and respond in ways that enable people, families and communities to heal.” SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children (SNAICC) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to inform the review of the Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld) (the Act). The review of the Act takes place in the context of an alarming and increasing over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care in Queensland. SNAICC works in partnership with the state peak body, the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP), and supports and endorses the QATSICPP submission to the present review.
QATSICPP
Child Protection Peak
