Taking the children away

For every dollar the government spends on Indigenous children, only 16 cents goes to helping families – the rest is on taking them away.

Dec 15, 2025, updated Dec 15, 2025

Catherine Liddle is chief executive of SNAICC, the national body that represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families.

Every year, Liddle and her team document how First Nations children are faring, and how they’re treated. And yet again, the picture is devastating.

Liddle’s report shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are more likely to be reported to authorities, they’re more likely to be taken away from their families and they spend more time institutionalised.

For every dollar the government spends on this, only 16 cents goes to helping families – the rest is on taking children away, causing enormous harm.

Today, SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle on the damage from the child protection system to First Nations children – and what needs to be done to break the cycle.

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