This Report was prepared with the valuable input and assistance of Aboriginal people and in particular Aboriginal non-government organisations. Some of these individuals and organisations expressed concern that in the past, their expertise has been drawn on by government agencies and departments, and used to develop policies and documents which have not necessarily served the interests of the Aboriginal community. They objected to the fact that departments have been funded to implement these policies while many Aboriginal organisations have been under-resourced.

In some cases also, Aboriginal people have had difficulty in gaining access to information about their own families held by government departments, such as case histories of Aboriginal children in care. Concern was also expressed about the information held by government departments about Aboriginal people. Many Aboriginal people resent the control of such information by government departments, which they regard as “belonging” to Aboriginal people.

The valuable contributions and comments of the following people are gratefully acknowledged:

Lyn Hookey	Aboriginal Children’s Service (Redfern)
Isabell Coe	Aboriginal Children’s Service (Redfern)
Peter Haroa	Aboriginal Children’s Service (Redfern)
Dale McLeod	Koolyangarra Fostering Agency
Rodney Ella	Senior Adviser (Aboriginal) Strategic Policy and Planning Directorate, Department of Community Services
Paul Behrendt	Aboriginal Research and Resource Unit, University of NSW
Nigel D’Souza	Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care
Brian Butler	Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care
Francis Tapim	Magani Malu Kes (Torres Strait Islander organisation) Townsville
The Hon Justice Richard Chisholm	Family Court of Australia
Professor Garth Nettheim	Faculty of Law, University of NSW

This is by no means an exhaustive list and thanks are also due to the many other people who contributed to this Report.