Closing Gap For First Nations Families In Melbourne
The Albanese Labor Government will provide $3.19 million in grants for First Nations-led trial projects in Darebin, Melbourne that will strengthen families, reduce family and domestic violence, and help keep kids out of out-of-home care.
Five Aboriginal and Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and local First Nations organisations have been selected to share in the funding, provided under the Government’s Closing the Gap Outcomes and Evidence Fund.
The projects sourced from the Darebin First Nations community will range from prevention and early intervention for intimate partner violence, education, trauma-informed healing activities and youth justice support.
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, said supporting First Nations-led solutions is vital to successfully meeting the Targets of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
“The Albanese Government is committed to working with First Nations peoples to reduce family and domestic violence and help keep First Nations children out of out-of-home care,” Minister Rishworth said.
“We know First Nations children are almost 12 times more likely to be in out-of-home care or connected to the child protection system. Sadly, First Nations women and children are also 33 times more likely to be hospitalised due to violence than non-Indigenous women and six times more likely to die as a result of family violence.”
“Community led projects like these are critical in addressing violence against women and children through community responses to create real and lasting change.”
Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Ged Kearney, said supporting First Nations led and targeted projects is critical to meeting the needs of First Nations families and communities in a culturally safe and effective way.
“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving environment connected to their culture and community. By investing in First Nations led initiatives, we are taking real steps to reduce the number of First Nations children in out-of-home care and ensure families have the support they need to stay together.
“Darebin is home to many First Nations organisation doing critical work to support families. These grants empower them to expand their reach and continue delivering programs designed by and for the community.
“As the Member for Cooper, I’ve built meaningful relationships with VACCA, VACSAL, VAHS and VALS. I’m so proud of the work they do and will continue to support them and their communities as they implement this grant funding.”
The five projects which will receive funding are:
Minister Rishworth said that whilst the Fund is a key contributor to the Government’s efforts to meeting Closing the Gap Targets 12 and 13, it’s also central to improving the evidence base for the Australian Government and First Nations people more broadly.
“The trial projects backed by our Fund provide vital insights as to how best we can achieve outcomes,” Minister Rishworth said.
“Importantly, the trial projects align with the Safe and Supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Action Plan 2023-26, which is the Government’s key mechanism to respond to Target 12.
“Initiatives such as these also support a number of key elements of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023-2025 with a focus on addressing the underlying drivers of violence.”
Under the Fund, all sites will include a comprehensive evaluation to assess project outcomes and impacts.
https://ministers.dss.gov.au/media-releases/17871