Allies for Children - Our Journey
Explore some of the key milestones in the evolution of Allies for Children to date.
Feb 2022CEO Child Youth and Family collaboration meeting Canberra
Over the course of 2022, CEO’s from a range of like minded agencies came together to talk about ways they could work together in the best interests of children.
Mar 2023CEOs of founding agencies meet in Canberra
CEOs agree to become founding partners of a formalised partnership working together in their commitments to children, young people and families.
Mar 2023Partnership announced in Canberra
Claire Robbs publicly announces the establishment of Allies for Children with Reconciliation Australia, SNAICC and other key stakeholders.
Jul 2023Launch event and forum in Brisbane
The launch of Allies for Children took place against the backdrop of a sector event with presentations from Allies members, Professor Ben Mathews and
SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle.
28 Jul 2023Allies face to face partnership gathering - Brisbane
Allies for Children meets with First Nations leaders from founding organisations to explore how the Allies can be accountable through a cultural governance model.
Jul 2023Initial formation of First Nations leaders
First Nations leaders from some Allies organisations (LWB, OzChild & Barnardos) meet with the intent to collaborate. They write to Allies to advise of their intention to form.
Jul 2023First Nation NGO Leaders from Allies organisations formalise group First Nations NGO Alliance
First meeting held in Brisbane to form a group of First Nations leaders from Allies organisations.
Aug 2023Allies Statement of Support for YES
Allies for Children publishes a statement in support of the Voice to Parliament. View
3 Sep 2023Launch of National Child Protection Week at Admiralty House
Allies attend in support of the launch of National Child Protection Week - "Where we start matters".
5-7 Sep 202310th SNAICC National Conference
Allies support the 10th SNAICC National Conference at the Darwin Convention Centre, and join SNAICC in backing a National Commissioner For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children. View
Sep 2023First Nations NGO Alliance send artefacts to Allies
The First Nations NGO Alliance share draft Terms of Reference and Engagement Protocol with Allies.
19 Oct 2023Allies reject calls for a Royal Commission into the abuse of Aboriginal children
Allies support SNAICC in rejecting calls for a Royal Commission into the abuse of Aboriginal children. View
27 Oct 2023Joint Allies for Children & First Nations NGO Alliance Submission
Joint Allies for Children & First Nations NGO Alliance Submission to the Productivity Commission – Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. View
1 Nov 2023Allies for Children website launch
Allies for Children and website with resource hub launched alliesforchildren.org.au.
9 Nov 2023Allies for Children Victorian Sector Event
Sector event featuring a panel discussion entitled “YES to ending over-representation; taking action for First Nations children”, and a presentation from Simon Kuestenmacher of The Demographics Group on the evolving demographic and socio-economic variables impacting foster care and service delivery.
10 Nov 2023Joint Allies and First Nations NGO Alliance
Face to Face meeting – Melbourne
Allies and First Nations NGO Alliance – discussed partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Organisations and contributing to sector reform - child and family investment strategy & influencing policy and systems reform.
29 Nov 2023Launch of Family Matters 2023
Allies for Children was a proud sponsor of the Family Matters report launch. CEO Founding member Claire Robbs spoke in support of the report on behalf of Allies for Children. View
17 Nov 2023Joint Allies for Children & First Nations NGO Alliance Submission
Allies for Children and the First Nations NGO Alliance Joint Submission for the 2024-25 Queensland Budget. View
2023Support for a National Commissioner
Allies issue a public statement supporting a National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children. View
Nov 2023Allies Policy Agenda confirmed
Policy Agenda finalised with support of First Nations NGO Alliance and publicised. Advocacy arenas include:
1) Addressing over-representation of First Nations Children in care
2) Raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility
3) Workforce challenges, and
4) Child protection reform through early intervention investment.
13 Feb 2024Statement supporting the appointment of a National Commissioner for First Nations Children and Young People
Allies for Children commends the Federal Government on the historic appointment of a National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children. View
16 Feb 2024 Joint Allies and First Nations NGO Alliance
Face to Face meeting – Sydney
Allies & First Nations NGO Alliance meeting, discussion about partnering to influence policy and systems reform.
29 Apr 2024 Joint Allies and First Nations NGO Alliance
Face to Face meeting – Brisbane
Allies & First Nations NGO Alliance meeting involving SNAICC. Discussion around the Statement of Commitment to address the over-representation of First Nations
children in care.
20 Mar 2024Joined Advocacy to Address NSW Bail Laws
2 May 2024Allies Call for Bespoke Early Intervention Solutions for Domestic and Family Violence
Allies call on State and Federal Governments to work in partnership with communities on practical prevention measures, early intervention programs and funding for frontline services that also prioritise the prevention of domestic and family violence and support for women and families experiencing violence in the home. View
5 May 2024Allies receive First Nations NGO Alliance Statement of Concern
Statement of concern raising experience and expectation of partnership between First Nations NGO Alliance and Allies for Children.
20 May 2024Statement of Commitment to addressing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in child protection and youth justice
Allies for Children commits to supporting First Nations children to transition to ACCOs to ensure they grow in community, in culture and with kin. View
5 Jun 2024Sponsorship of ACWA 2024 Conference
Allies for Children sponsor a Student Bursary at the ACWA 2024 conference.
20 Jun 2024Submission in response to the Statutory Review of the Online Safety Act 2021
Allies submission outlining the need for government to maintain policy settings while establishing a framework to better protect children (and other Australians) from the current and emerging harms related to online use. View
7 Jul 2024NAIDOC Week
Allies for Children are a Silver Sponsor of the Narang
Bir-rong Aboriginal Corporation NAIDOC Week Ball.
JuL 2024Meeting between Chair and First Nations NGO Alliance re: statement of concern
25 Jul 2024Joint Allies and First Nations NGO Alliance
Face to Face meeting – Sydney
Allies & First Nations NGO Alliance meeting, discussing the statement of concern, two-way governance and transition services to ACCO’s consistent with Family Matters principles.
4 Sep 2024Allies Submission on draft general comment No. 27 on children’s rights to access justice and effective remedies
Allies for Children statement in support of the proposed general comment No. 27, and general comment No. 24, including the importance of diversionary strategies and a minimum age of criminal responsibility of at least 14. View
Sep 2024Advocacy in relation to raising the age of criminal responsibility in Australia
Allies share concerns about the Victorian and Northern Territory Governments signaling intent to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility, in contradiction to expert advice and scientific evidence.
17 Sep 2024Open letter to The Hon. Lia Finocchiaro to reconsider the proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility in NT
Allies for Children share a letter sent to the incoming Chief Minister urging her to reconsider lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 10 years of age, and offering to work in consultation with the NT Government to explore evidence-based solutions. View
26 Sep 2024Statement of commitment to support for ACCOs - non-compete and transfers statement update
Statement including a commitment from Allies for Children CEOs to transition First Nations children and young people in care to Community Control. View