Ngura Kutju, a pilot program delivering an integrated and simpler child protection system to children and families in the Central Australian region of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Lands, was launched recently in Alice Springs.
Ngura Kutju – meaning ‘one place’ – will improve information sharing across borders, strengthen safety and care planning, and provide families with clearer pathways to support.
The culmination of many years of advocacy led by NPY Women’s Council, the 12-month joint pilot is supported by the Australian Government and brings together an NPYWC coordinator and child protection staff from Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia, into one co-located team working in Alice Springs, alongside community.
For Anangu and Yarnangu families living across the NPY Lands, which span three jurisdictions, the initiative responds directly to long-standing calls for a more transparent and coordinated system, where state and territory borders no longer limit a child’s connection to family, Country and culture.
NPY Women’s Council Chairperson Mrs Margaret Smith, a Yankunytjatjara woman from Imanpa in the Northern Territory, said the project reflects years of advocacy from community.
“We have been talking about three states, three governments and three sets of rules for a long time – and how hard that is for our families. Ngura Kutja is about one place, one number and one story for our families,” Mrs Smith said.
Senior Anangu Elder Rene Kulitja says “From these three states, our Tjukurpa is as one. We want to work together, stand together, hold hands and move forward together.”
Department of Communities Acting Regional Executive Director – Midwest, Gascoyne and Goldfields, David Bridge, attended the launch in Alice Springs and said the launch marked a significant step forward in how governments work together to support children and families across borders and achieve better outcomes for them.
“The pilot reflects a monumental shift in providing child protection services to the families and children of the region.
“It has long been recognised that Aboriginal people living on NPY lands travel freely across all three state borders. This project reflects the need and commitments by all jurisdictions to work in partnership to ensure children and families receive consistent and meaningful child protection services regardless of boundaries and periods of nomadic travel.
“The pilot recognises that children achieve far better outcomes when they remain connected to community, country and culture, and when child protection services recognise its importance and facilitate such opportunities.” David Bridge said.
The Australian Government provided funding for the 12-month pilot, recognising the importance of better integrated services across jurisdictions.
The initiative aligns with national priorities to ensure every child is safe and supported. We know that children do best when they stay connected to their community and culture.
Program partners at the event thanked the NPY Women’s Council for their years of advocacy and congratulate them on this important milestone.
By working together through place-based coordination, partners will aim to build stronger family networks and increase Anangu agency and leadership.
Ngura Kutju directly responds to priorities under Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2021-2031, which calls for improved coordination between services, shared data across jurisdictions and stronger community-led approaches to keeping children safe.
Around 6,000 people live across the NPY region, where navigating multiple systems has historically made it harder to access clear and consistent support. The initiative will be evaluated to inform future approaches to cross-border service delivery and strengthen child protection systems nationally.
For more information visit the Ngura Kutju webpage on the NPY Women’s Council website.
Left to right (back row): Monica Jednous, Joanne Green, Victoria Cobb, Adedamola Olagbegi, Melissa Wicks, Jacqueline Ah Kit, Darian Shephard-Bayly, Melanie Samuels, David Bridge, Kelly Jones, Brent Warren.
Left to right (front row): Emily Evans, Lori McClure, Wendy Dimer.
Photograph by Rhett Hammerton, Rhett Hammerton Photography.
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