Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Stories and music to keep Indigenous children safe

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Sharryn Jackson MP, Member for Hasluck

The Rudd Government is supporting the Constable Care program to take its child safety message to around 15,000 Indigenous primary school children across remote and regional Western Australia.

The Government is providing the Constable Care Child Safety Foundation with $500,000 over three years to run more than 300 life skills programs.

The Indigenous Affairs Minister, Jenny Macklin, the Member for Hasluck, Sharryn Jackson and Constable Care CEO, Vic Evans announced the funding boost while visiting Moorditj Noongar Community College in Middle Swan, Perth.

For more than 20 years, the Constable Care program has innovatively translated important safety messages through storytelling and live interactive theatre to children aged from two to 12.

‘As part of the program, troupes of trained performers will visit children in 50 remote Indigenous communities over three years in the Kimberley, Gascoyne, Ashburton, East Pilbara, Roebourne, Laverton and the Ngaanyatjarra Lands to stage a series of performances delivering safety messages,’ Ms Macklin said.

‘Performances like Be Your Own Boss, Sporting Chance and Petrol Wanti!, feature Indigenous characters and language and speak directly to children.’

‘Early intervention is the key to the Constable Care programs. The program works to prevent behaviour in children that could later develop into personal and social problems that could harm both themselves and those around them.’

Constable Care will consult with local school and community representatives about each community’s particular needs.

The Member for Hasluck, Sharryn Jackson, said the program had benefited many children in her electorate, including at the Moorditj Noongar Community College.

‘Today we joined local students at the Moorditj Noongar Community College to see Constable Care perform their fantastic new program for the first time and learn together about staying safe,’ Ms Jackson said.

‘Constable Care has been part of growing up for so many school kids in Western Australia, and I’m really pleased to see that more Indigenous children will benefit through this extra funding. Every child has the right to a safe and happy childhood.’

The Constable Care programs have been recognised for their success through the Australian Crime and Violence Preventions Awards.