Indigenous advocate Natalie Brown has been appointed as the Chair of the Our Booris, Our Way Implementation Oversight Committee.
Ms Brown, a proud Gamilaraay woman has lived and worked on Ngunnawal country for the past 20 years and is dedicated to advocating for systemic reform to address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal families in statutory out of home care.
Minister for Families and Community Services, Rachel Stephen-Smith, said the ACT Government is committed to implementing the Our Booris, Our Way recommendations to achieve positive outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, and their families.
"Real change can only be realised through strong collaboration, transparency, and accountability. Ms Brown has been key in steering the Our Booris, Our Way process and has a strong commitment to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are supported, connected to their community, culture and country," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
In line with the principles of self-determination, the Our Booris, Our Way Implementation Oversight Committee recently elected Waanyi Kalkadoon woman Charmaine Barratt to the committee position recently vacated by Dr. Caroline Hughes. Ms Barratt's first meeting will be on 5 December 2022.
Quotes attributable to Natalie Brown, incoming Chairperson OBOWIOC
I would like to thank Ms Causon for her work as Chairperson during the Our Booris, Our Way review and then as Implementation Oversight Committee Chairperson. Ms Causon has been appointed as the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Advocate, a role that is a direct result of the Our Booris, Our Way recommendations
I look forward to continuing the critical work of the Our Booris, Our Way Implementation Oversight Committee and working closely with community as well as the ACT Government to implement the recommendations.
