We risk an indigenous lost generation

We risk an indigenous lost generation

THE number of indigenous children removed from their parents has risen from 4146 children in 2000-01 to almost 14,000 children in 2012-13. The proportion of the indigenous child population in state care has tripled from 2 to 6 per cent. Indigenous-specific child protection policies are intended to prevent past mistakes associated with the Stolen Generations. The Aboriginal Child Placement Principle means the preferred option is to place indigenous children into kinship care with relatives or local community members.

• Indigenous kinship care risks creating ‘lost generation’