The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for Social Services
Senator The Hon Katy Gallagher
Minister for Finance
Minister for Women
Minister for the Public Service
Minister for Government Services
The Hon Andrew Leigh MP
Member for Fenner
Dr Marisa Paterson MLA
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
Minister for Women
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence
Minister for Corrections
Minister for Gaming Reform
Suzanne Orr MLA
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water
Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services
Member for Yerrabi
The Federal and ACT Labor Governments are teaming up to deliver an Australian-first trial program that will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait fathers who are using, or at risk of using, violence at home.
The trial Caring Dad's program will help First Nations fathers to better understand the impact of harmful behaviour, improve their relationships with their children and support them to engage in respectful parenting with mothers.
With almost $1 million funding from the Albanese Labor Government, the ACT Government will deliver and evaluate the culturally safe and community-led trial over the next two years.
The program will be trialled in partnership with Yeddung Mura, a local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation.
The Caring Dads program was developed by Changing Ways, a Canadian organisation. While it had been adapted for First Nations communities in Canada, it had not been adapted for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers in Australia until now, thanks to the help of Yeddung Mura.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children continue to experience higher rates of family violence in every part of Australia. This joint investment will directly increase the safety and wellbeing of many First Nations families across the ACT.
Funding under the National Partnership Agreement on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-30 can be used by states and territories to deliver early intervention or innovative pilot programs like Caring Dads.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek:
"Feeling safe with your Dad is the foundation for a lifetime of security and good relationships.
"And most dads want to protect and nurture their children.
"Caring dads set the tone for their children's development.
"The Albanese Labor Government has invested more than any government in Australian history - more than $4 billion in ending violence against women and children.
"This funding enables new programs like this, that break the cycle of violence."
Quotes attributable to ACT Senator and Minister for Women, Katy Gallaher:
"This trial is about investing in approaches that keep women and children safe, while also working directly with men to change their behaviour.
"By supporting Canberra's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island dads with a program that is culturally safe and community-led, we're helping to break the cycle of violence and strengthen families here in the ACT.
"The Albanese Government is proud to partner with the ACT Government and Yeddung Mura on this important initiative, which will deliver lasting benefits for First Nations families and the broader Canberra community."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, the Hon Andrew Leigh MP:
"Programs like Caring Dads remind us that prevention isn't abstract, it's about helping fathers make better choices every day.
"This trial will give First Nations dads the tools to be present, respectful and loving parents, and to build homes where children grow up safe and strong.
"When we invest in breaking cycles of violence, we're investing in stronger families and a stronger community."
Quotes attributable to Minister Paterson, ACT Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence:
"This trial program is an Australian-first and Yeddung Mura has been working closely with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders, and Kids First Australia, to adapt the program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers in Canberra.
"The Yeddung Mura Caring Dads program will work with men to be accountable for their actions and provide them with the skills and support to prevent them from using violence in the future."
Quotes attributable to Minister Orr, ACT Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs:
"The ACT Government is proud to work with the Australian Government to support local Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations to help expand services and improve outcomes for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community.
"This community-led trial that takes a proven approach to supporting families and reducing violence, adapted to meet the cultural needs of our community and I'm looking forward to seeing the outcomes of this new approach."
Quotes attributable to Priestley Obed, CEO, Yeddung Mura:
"This new program has been carefully designed, adapted, and delivered by Aboriginal facilitators to help local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers develop healthy parenting skills and strengthen their relationships with their children."
Quotes attributable to Ida Hanley, Program Facilitator and Program Manager, Yeddung Mura:
"The Caring Dads program helps men to be honest with themselves, build self-awareness, and ignites hope that they can be good fathers and partners. They return week after week to keep working on themselves."
Quotes attributable to Darryl Lingwoodock, Mentor and Program Facilitator, Yeddung Mura:
"We continue to receive positive feedback from participants, who are eager and willing to face the challenge."
