On February 20, 2026, the Women and Women’s Safety Ministerial Council convened a joint meeting with Community Services Ministers for the first time. The gathering aimed to address pressing issues related to family, domestic, and sexual violence (FDSV), particularly focusing on reducing the number of children affected by such violence and changing the alarming rates of children and young people entering out-of-home care (OOHC) across the nation.
Ministers recognized their shared responsibility to enhance the safety and wellbeing of children. They emphasized the critical role of gender and economic equality in advancing the safety of women and children. During the meeting, they reaffirmed their commitment to achieving Targets 12 and 13 as outlined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Investment in Support and Community-Led Initiatives
A significant point of discussion was the recent release of “Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026-2036” (referred to as Our Ways). Ministers welcomed the Commonwealth’s investment of $218.3 million aimed at empowering Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to provide community-led specialist support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families experiencing violence.
To alter the growing trend of children entering OOHC, the ministers agreed on the necessity to connect efforts across child wellbeing, child protection, and family safety. This approach is intended to better support children and young people who have faced trauma and to ensure their safety.
Ministers acknowledged the importance of addressing both risk and protective factors across various systems, aiming for shared outcomes that prioritize the safety and wellbeing of children and their families. This coordinated strategy aligns with Recommendation 5 from the Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches.
Priorities and Future Collaboration
The meeting identified four key areas as collective priorities: implementing common risk assessment processes for children, enhancing workforce and sector capability, investing in ACCOs, and fostering system integration. To measure progress across these priorities, ministers agreed to reconvene by the end of 2026.
Additionally, they discussed the need for specific actions tailored to each jurisdiction that would promote successful programs and improve collaboration among governments. These initiatives are designed to expedite progress on Targets 12 and 13 in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Ministers also reviewed the Commonwealth’s updates on investments aimed at supporting women’s economic equality, underscoring its importance in improving safety. They recognized the need for cross-portfolio collaboration to effectively address these issues.
As the meeting concluded, ministers acknowledged the significance of advancing practical actions within individual council work programs, ensuring that the shared commitments translate into tangible outcomes for communities nationwide. This united front aims to foster a safer, more equitable environment for children and women, marking a crucial step forward in combating family violence.
