The Northern Territory, South Australian, Western Australian and Australian Governments in partnership with NPY Women's Council have today launched a new tri-state child protection initiative in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.Ngura Kutju delivers an Anangu-led solution shaped by decades of advocacy from Anangu and Yarnangu leaders and their communities.The initiative will improve coordination across NT, SA and WA to deliver better outcomes for children and families
Ngura Kutja, a pilot program delivering an integrated and simpler child protection system to children and families in the Central Australian region of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Lands, will be launched today in Alice Springs.
Ngura Kutja - meaning 'one place' - will improve information sharing across borders, strengthen safety and care planning, and provide families with clearer pathways to support.
The culmination of many years of advocacy led by by NPY Women's Council, the 12-month joint pilot is supported by the Australian Government and brings together an NPYWC coordinator and child protection staff from the Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA) and Western Australia (WA), into one co-located team working alongside community.
For Anangu and Yarnangu families living across the NPY Lands, which span three jurisdictions, the initiative responds directly to long-standing calls for a more transparent and coordinated system, where state and territory borders no longer limit a child's connection to family, Country and culture.
NPY Women's Council Chairperson Mrs Margaret Smith, a Yankunytjatjara woman from Imanpa in the Northern Territory, said the project reflects years of advocacy from community.
"We have been talking about three states, three governments and three sets of rules for a long time - and how hard that is for our families. Ngura Kutja is about one place, one number and one story for our families," Mrs Smith said.
Senior Anangu Elder Rene Kulitja says "From these three states, our Tjukurpa is as one. We want to work together, stand together, hold hands and move forward together"
Northern Territory Minister for Child Protection Robyn Cahill said the launch marked a significant step forward in how governments work together to support children and families across borders.
'Our CLP Finocchiaro Government is proud to support an initiative shaped by community and grounded in local knowledge. This is what working in genuine partnership looks like - listening to communities and building solutions together."
South Australian Minister for Child Protection Alice Rolls said the initiative strengthens collaboration across jurisdictions.
"This is about making sure families receive consistent, coordinated support, no matter where they are in the region. It's an important step toward improving how we work together to achieve better outcomes for children," Minister Rolls said.
Western Australia Minister for Child Protection Jessica Stojkovski said the pilot reflects a shared commitment to better service delivery.
"Children and families don't live by jurisdictional boundaries, and our systems need to reflect that. Working together across borders allows us to provide more consistent and connected support," Minister Stojkovski said.
The Australian Government invested $$259,484 for the 12-month pilot, recognising the importance of better integrated services across jurisdictions.
Federal Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek said the initiative aligns with national priorities to ensure every child is safe and supported.
"We know that children do best when they stay connected to their community and culture." Minister Plibersek said.
"For too long, families have had to navigate three sets of rules to keep their children safe, often talking to different organisations with different workers and little shared understanding. This initiative changes that.
"I want to thank the NPY Women's Council for their years of advocacy and congratulate them on this important milestone." Minister Plibersek said.
By working together through place-based coordination, partners will aim to build stronger family networks and increase Anangu agency and leadership.
Ngura Kutja directly responds to priorities under Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2021-2031, which calls for improved coordination between services, shared data across jurisdictions and stronger community-led approaches to keeping children safe.
Around 6,000 people live across the NPY region, where navigating multiple systems has historically made it harder to access clear and consistent support. The initiative will be evaluated to inform future approaches to cross-border service delivery and strengthen child protection systems nationally.
