In this episode of the Impact Policy Podcast, we sit down with Associate Professor BJ Newton for a grounded conversation on child removal, restoration, and the systemic realities facing Aboriginal families navigating the child protection system. Drawing on the Bring Them Home, Keep Them Home research, BJ reflects on the role of research as advocacy, the importance of community-embedded approaches, and why restoration must be centred in conversations about reform.
The discussion explores the structural drivers that continue to see Aboriginal children over represented in out-of-home care, the barriers families face in reunification processes, and the need to shift from surveillance and intervention toward family-led, culturally responsive support. BJ also speaks to initiatives including Know Your Rights and ARC (Aboriginal Authority for Restoring Children), and the importance of returning decision-making and authority back to Aboriginal communities.
Alongside systems analysis and policy discussion, the episode also reflects on the role practitioners can play in creating safe, relational spaces for families through informed judgement, empathy and culturally responsive practice.
If you work across child protection, Aboriginal affairs, policy, research, or community services, this episode offers an honest and important conversation on restoration, accountability, and what meaningful systems change can look like in practice.
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