A group is being launched in Ballina today to stop Aboriginal children being removed from their families.
With one in ten Aboriginal children in out-of-home care, the Ballina Grandmothers Against Removals group wants Aboriginal communities to be empowered to make decisions over the welfare of children.
Greens MP David Shoebridge and Ballina MP Tamara Smith are supporting the group, which will be officially launched at 1pm at the Jali Aboriginal Land Council in Tamar Street, Ballina.
Ms Smith said she would congratulate the grandmothers on their ‘incredible advocacy’.
‘An ongoing legacy of colonisation is the prevalence of placing Aboriginal children in out of home care away from community,’ Ms Smith said.
‘These are the elders speaking out and they know what is best for their community when it comes to solving difficult issues. I stand with them whole heartedly in this endeavour.’
Mr Shoebridge, who is the Greens Aboriginal Justice spokesman, said children were still being removed from their homes at tragic rates despite the landmark Bringing them Home report, and parliament’s apology to the stolen generations.
Grandmothers Against Removals are part of a crucial grassroots movement demanding the return of their children and an end to another stolen generation.
‘We have seen the strength of the Grandmothers in Gunnedah reaching an agreement with FACs, and will stand with the Bundjalung Ballina Grandmothers Against Removals who want to make a difference in how their kids are cared for in community,’ Mr Shoebridge said.
‘It’s time we all joined with them and demanded support for their families and lasting solutions that strengthen communities, not forced removals.’
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