The Welcome to Country was from Larrakia woman Ms Jeanneen McLennan who thanked members forcoming together and working collaboratively to improve outcomes for Territory children.During the quarterly review of key outcome indicators for children and young people, the Forum discussedthe continuing decline in school attendance rates across the Northern Territory as a serious concern. Theforum agreed to write to responsible Ministers advising that schools in the NT should be funded based onpopulation and need, not adjusted by attendance.The Acting Children’s Commissioner, Ms Nicole Hucks presented on the functions and evolution of the Officeof the Children’s Commissioner since its establishment more than 15 years ago. The Forum noted there wasfurther work to do to establish the Commission for Children and Young People envisioned by the RoyalCommission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory.The Independent Aboriginal Chair of the Generational Strategy Steering Group, Mr Rob McPhee, presentedthe proposed first action plan for the 10 Year Generational Strategy for Children and Families in theNorthern Territory. The Forum supported the 15 proposed actions in principle. The first action plan will befinalised and released at a later date. The Forum acknowledged the Strategy and Coordinated InvestmentFramework would be officially released on 3 March 2023.Australian Government Ministers the Hon Linda Burney MP and the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP andNorthern Territory Government Ministers the Hon Kate Worden MLA and the Hon Lauren Moss MLA joinedthe Forum. The Ministers provided updates on various issues including the A Better, Safer Future for CentralAustralia including $250 million Commonwealth funding, the launch of the National Plan to End Violenceagainst Women and Children and the first action plans under Safe and Supported: the National Framework forProtecting Australia’s Children, the formation of an Aboriginal advisory board on family and domestic violence,and the progress of developing new child and family centres in the NT.The Forum acknowledged apologies from the Chief Minister Hon Natasha Fyles MLA and Attorney Generalthe Hon Chansey Paech MLA who have indicated they will attend at a future meeting.On the NT Aboriginal Justice Agreement Communications Strategy, the Forum heard about the importanceof evidence-based communications and the research underpinning effective communication around justiceissues.The Forum also heard about the progress in family-led decision making in care and protection. SeniorPractitioner Ms Denella Detourbet told members the current practice framework empowers families andbuilds their capacity to make their own decisions. Clinical and Professional Practices Director Ms JulianneDavis said the framework is not family group conferencing but promotes family making decisions. She saidthe introduction of the CARE reporting and monitoring system will assist with the eventual evaluation of theframework.The NT Department of Education Chief Executive Officer Ms Karen Weston and Senior Director Early Yearsand Primary Teaching and Learning Services Ms Agnes McGrath provided an overview of NT and NationalEarly Childhood education efforts. The Forum noted the Department of Education is leading thedevelopment of a NT Early Childhood Education Plan, in partnership with relevant agencies. AustralianGovernment members committed to join the partnership and the Forum agreed to nominate a representativeto participate.The Forum discussed resourcing needs in education, some of the positive data around Year 12 completersand the importance of parent education and engagement.Members reiterated their support for a closer examination of education engagement and school attendanceissues at a later meeting and passed a resolution supporting the fundamental principle of needs basedfunding for education in the Northern Territory.
Download the Tripartite Forum Communiqué from 28 February 2023 PDF (785.7 KB)
