'Saving the children' are the three most dangerous words uttered by white people | Amy McQuire

The long-term traumatic impact of children being taken away from their families deserves more than a short sermon

On the day of the Abbott-Turnbull leadership spill in 2015, Channel Seven Sunrise host Samantha Armytage joined the talking heads from the other mainstream television stations outside Parliament House. It was the first parliamentary sitting day of the year, and they were broadcasting live – all of them set up next to each other, less than five metres apart. But they could not have anticipated the back drop.

That day, various Grandmothers Against Removals groups from around the country had descended on Canberra to protest against the skyrocketing rates of Aboriginal child removal. It had been organised months in advance.

Related: Abused Indigenous children need safe homes, not derailed debate, says peak body

We have the Aboriginal placement principle, which states that you must follow this hierarchical system for placement of the children. That is not being adhered to at all – or only in very, very few cases. I do not think that I know anywhere it has been adhered to. I have not met anyone yet. The fact is that that is happening and it is law. The department is continually superseding that. The Department of Family and Community Services supersedes the law of the Aboriginal placement principle with sibling placement policies. That is a departmental policy; it is not legislation.”

Related: Stolen generations apology anniversary sparks call for children in care targets

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from Children | The Guardian http://ift.tt/2GqdMqA