The Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership met on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra on 12 and 13 November 2025 to advance early childhood outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
The meeting brought together all governments and First Nations leaders. It was co-chaired by:
- Catherine Liddle, CEO, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children
- Kylie Crane, Deputy Secretary, Early Childhood, Australian Government Department of Education.
The meeting started with a Welcome to Country by Selina Walker, Ngunnawal Traditional Owner and Chair of Yerrabi.
Key outcomes included:
- members reviewed the funding priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) delivering child and family services and discussed the funding models research that SNAICC is undertaking
- members held a workshop to inform the 2026–28 Strategic Plan
- members discussed the draft evaluation report, which is expected to be finalised in early 2026
- members noted the opportunities to connect with the Thriving Kids reform and work closely with The Department of Health, Disability and Aging on the design
- members heard from SNAICC Youth Voice Advisory Group representatives about their work to establish a SNAICC Youth Voice.
The Policy Partnership will meet again in March 2026.
Learn more about the Policy Partnership and read the meeting 12 summary.