Nukara Action Plan a New Blueprint for Aboriginal Child Safety

The Nukara Action Plan, subtitled ‘Strengthening the Dilly Bag‘, outlines a comprehensive strategy to progressively transfer responsibilities from the Tasmanian Government to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC). This blueprint aims to transform systems and practices to ensure Aboriginal children are kept safe within the care of their families.

Concerns have been raised by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service (TALS) about the plan, claiming it was developed without engaging other Aboriginal community organisations and service providers.

Media release – Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service (TALS), 11 July 2025

Nukara Action Plan

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service (TALS) today raises concerns about several aspects of the Nukara Action Plan recently released by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC).

The plan aims to progressively transfer responsibilities to the TAC in support of the Aboriginal community of Tasmania.

TALS Chief Executive Officer Jake Smith, and Palawa man, said ‘the plan appears to have been developed in isolation without engagement from the many Aboriginal community organisations and service providers across the State.”

“TALS urges the TAC and the Tasmanian Government to consider the voices of all Aboriginal people in Tasmania, who are connected and supported by the many Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations – not just the TAC,” Mr Smith said.

“A diversity of voices strengthens our community’s ability to create meaningful, inclusive change. No single organisation can speak for all Aboriginal people in this State- nor should they be expected to.

“While I don’t disagree with elements of the plan, there are a number of points that appear to be inaccurate and not inclusive.

“In particular, the proposal to transition Statewide legal supports to the TAC has been put forward without any engagement with TALS – who currently deliver this vital service.”

Mr Smith said TALS is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation governed by a Board of Directors made up of representatives from five Aboriginal community groups across the State. TALS also employs Aboriginal staff from many community groups across the state in each of its offices located in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie.

“We provide culturally safe legal assistance to Aboriginal people from all communities, including those who are members of the TAC, the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC), the Melaythenner Teeackana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation (MTWAC), Flinders Island Aboriginal Association Inc (FIAAI), South East Tasmania Aboriginal Corporation (SETAC) and others – right across the State,” Mr Smith said.

“Since its establishment in 2020, TALS has provided culturally safe legal assistance to more Aboriginal people than any previous provider of the service. In the past year alone, TALS supported over 8,000 clients across various matters.

“We are disappointed that the TAC has released a plan under the guise of being inclusive and representative of all Aboriginal people, without broadly consulting communities, organisations, service providers and individuals this plan would impact.”

Mr Smith said TALS welcomes the opportunity to engage with the TAC in the best interests of Aboriginal people in Tasmania.

“We welcome the opportunity to engage in open dialogue and collaboration with the TAC and work towards outcomes that benefit all Aboriginal people in Tasmania.

Mr Smith said TALS recently applied to join the Coalition of Peaks alongside the TAC as part of its commitment to the national Closing the Gap agenda.

“We believe our membership will strengthen the impact that can be achieved and the outcomes for our people – particularly in the areas of law and justice, and the related areas.

“Tasmania has a long way to go to Close the Gap and we are here to support and improve outcomes for our people.”

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