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Aboriginal Law Bulletin (ALB)
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Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "Black Children: White Welfare?" [1985] AboriginalLawB 32; (1985) 1(14) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 2


Black Children: White Welfare?

The University of New South Wales Social Welfare Research Centre has produced a report entitled Black Children-White Welfare?, that traces the history of Aboriginal child welfare services in NSW from 1883 to the present day. The report is the result of a three-year study of Aboriginal child welfare policy by Mr Richard Chisholm, a Senior Lecturer in Law at UNSW.

Mr Richard Chisholm believes 'recent moves towards reform of Aboriginal child welfare services in NSW by government bodies fall short of meeting the special needs of Aboriginal communities'. In addition he says, 'While changes in Departmental policy represent a notable advance and a significant break with the past, it is still unclear whether they embody a real commitment to Aboriginal self-determination as distinct from a policy of multiculturalism that could equally apply to other racial or ethnic groups'.

'Self-determination, which would enable Aboriginal people to control their destiny and adapt their laws, culture and traditions, is essential to their continuation as a viable and indentifiable race. Multiculturalism which acknowledges differences between different communities is not enough', says Mr Chisholm (Uniken, No. 208, p. 1).

The report has four main chapters with the first concerning 'Historical Background', and then 'Aboriginal Perspectives'. The next two are 'Current Departmental Practices and Policies' and 'Future Directions in Aboriginal Child Welfare'.

'The finding of Aboriginal organisations such as the Aboriginal Children's Services by the Federal and NSW Govemments is one of the most important reforms in terms of self-determination' says Mr Chisholm.

‘Preferred placement of Aboriginal children with Aborigines is also important,’ says Mr Chisholm ‘as it involves consultation and co-operation with Aboriginal agencies and a high degree of non-intervention. However, the standard foster-parents allowance may need to be combined with additional financial support for this to be truly effective’.

'A federal Aboriginal child welfare act has been tentatively recommended by the Australian Law Reform Commission. Legislation would have symbolic importance as it involves public recognition that the child welfare system related to Aboriginal children is different. It also has a permanency which goes beyond policy making by various departments', says Mr Chisholm. (Uniken, No. 208, p. 1).

In this issuetheAboriginalLB presents part one of a two part series-Aboriginal Child Welfare in Australia: Directions of Change in Lawand Policy, by Richard Chisholm.

The report Black Children: White Welfare? is available from:

Social Welfare Research Centre
The University of NSW
PO Box 1,
Kensington, NSW 2033
(02)697-5150


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