- Cook Labor Government is delivering close to $45 million to expand two successful Aboriginal-led child protection initiatives
- 2026-27 State Budget will include $37.7 million for expansion of the Aboriginal Representative Organisations program, delivering on a legislative obligation to support improved decision making and culturally appropriate placements
- $7.2 million to extend Mirrabooka and Mid West-Gascoyne Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making program through to 30 June 2030
- Cook Labor Government continues record investment in child protection, reinforcing its commitment to building safe and inclusive communities
The Cook Labor Government is committing close to $45 million in the 2026-27 State Budget to ensure greater Aboriginal leadership through two key child protection programs, delivering effective outcomes for vulnerable Aboriginal children and families.
The State Budget includes $37.7 million to expand the Aboriginal Representative Organisations (ARO) program over 2026-27 to 2029-30, delivering on a legislative obligation to empower Aboriginal organisations to lead consultation in support of improved child protection decision-making and cultural outcomes for children and families in contact with the child protection system.
The ARO was first established as a pilot program under a range of milestone legislative reforms introduced in 2021, with an evaluation of the pilot program determining more than 140children have received greater cultural supports and placement outcomes as a result of ARO engagement since late 2022.
AROs strengthen the application of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP) and ensure Aboriginal children in care maintain close connection to family, culture, and Country.
This year's State Budget will also commit an additional $7.2 million to extend funding for the Mirrabooka and Mid West-Gascoyne Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making program (AFLDM) to 2029-30.
AFLDM is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation-delivered program that seeks to work directly with families where child protection concerns have been identified and divert children from entering care.
The AFLDM pilot program has delivered strong outcomes, having diverted or reunified 47children from the child protection system.
The program offers Aboriginal-led and convened meetings which strengthens families voice and control in the decision making and planning to keep their children safe.
The Cook Labor Government is committed to reducing the number of Aboriginal children in out-of-home-care and is continuing to provide record investment in Western Australian child protection initiatives.
In the last reporting period, there was a reduction in the number of Aboriginal children in care in Western Australia.
As stated by Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski:
"The Cook Labor Government is proud to work in partnership with Aboriginal organisations and leaders to deliver better outcomes and stability for Aboriginal children and families in contact with the child protection system.
"The legislative reforms delivered by our government in 2021 are continuing to support better pathways for families to engage help and be empowered in decision-making for their children.
The expansion of the Aboriginal Representative Organisations and Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making programs will further strengthen this approach.
"We are committed to keeping Aboriginal children safely at home with their families and working with Aboriginal organisations to support reunification where possible, as part of our commitment to building safe and inclusive communities.
"The Cook Government will continue to work hard to reduce the number of Aboriginal children in care."
