Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

Northern Territory shares in families funding

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today said the Northern Territory will share in the $365 million funding announced by the Prime Minister today for the Australian Government’s Stronger Families and Communities Strategy.

“The Northern Territory will receive more than $180,000 under the Local Answers initiative to extend the Ngarkte Mikwekenhe Community’s successful Family as Community project for an additional two years.

“Indigenous people from eastern and central Arrente families living in town camps around Alice Springs and in the Amoongana Community face difficulties in accessing education, health and employment services.

“The project aims to address needs identified by the ‘family community’, such as returning to traditional lands, but also maintaining access to education or developing enterprises to reduce unemployment.

“The Northern Territory will also share the benefits from over $13.6 million for six projects funded under the Early Childhood – Invest to Grow initiative such as the $4 million Parenting Information Website.

“This website will give parents and professionals quality assured information on early childhood development, the health and well-being of children and positive parenting.

“Also under this initiative, the Secretariat for National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) will receive $4 million over four years to develop the National Indigenous Children’s and Family Resource Centre.

“This project will provide direct assistance to communities, service providers, family-centred organisations and other stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of early childhood development programs for Indigenous children.

“This new look Stronger Families and Communities Strategy focuses even more on children’s development during their formative years will provide great support for families in the Northern Territory,” Mr Anthony said.

“More information can be found on the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy website at www.facs.gov.au.