Wednesday, 13th February 2019 marked eleven years since Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally acknowledged and apologised for the Australian government’s forced child removal policies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Apology opened the door to reconciliation, but there is still a long way to go. SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and the Family Matters campaign have called for deeper reflection and more consistent commitment by policy leaders to ensure history does not repeat itself. Family Matters notes that the anniversary sees over 17,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in out-of-home care, more than twice as many as on the day of the Apology in 2008, describing the current trend as “a very harmful trajectory…the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in out-of-home care will triple by 2035.” For real progress, SNAICC is calling for clear Closing the Gap Refresh targets on out-of-home care accompanied by a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s strategy premised on self-determination and informed by genuine participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. PeakCare continues to strongly support the work and messages of SNAICC and Family Matters to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people grow up safe and cared for in family, community and culture.