Landmark legislation introduced to Parliament today by the Andrews Labor Government will keep more Aboriginal families together by putting Aboriginal self-determination at the forefront of children and family services.

In an Australian first, the Children and Health Legislation Amendment (Statement of Recognition, Aboriginal Self-determination and Other Matters) Bill 2023 expands the role of Aboriginal agencies delivering children and family services to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal children in care in Victoria.

The new laws recognise that Aboriginal people are best placed to make decisions and deliver services that protect the best interests of Aboriginal children.

The laws are a landmark step to meet the Closing the Gap National Agreement target to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal children in care in a way that is culturally safe and promotes the best interests of the child.

It includes a Statement of Recognition of the impact of past policies on Aboriginal people designed in equal partnership with Aboriginal stakeholder groups including the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and the Victorian Aboriginal Children and Young People’s Alliance.

The Bill further embeds the Labor Government’s commitment to self-determination in legislation. It will expand circumstances in which authorised Aboriginal agencies deliver child and families services under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005.

The new laws would also allow greater information sharing between the Government and Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations and builds the Government’s commitment to the Wungurilwil Gapgapduir partnership.

A Bill was originally introduced last year but it lapsed due to the state election.