Catholic Social Services Australia met last week with key Northern Territory Government leaders, underscoring a collaborative relationship focused on supporting the Territory’s most vulnerable, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
CSSA chief executive Jerry Nockles met with Robyn Cahill, Minister for Children and Families, Minister for Child Protection, and Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence, and Alex Bruce, chief of staff to Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro.
Dr Nockles highlighted the vital role CatholicCare Northern Territory plays across the region, delivering programs in youth justice, family support, disability services, and homelessness prevention.
“CatholicCare NT is a critical partner in addressing some of the Territory’s most complex social challenges,” Dr Nockles said.
“Their work is not just service delivery – it’s about creating real, lasting change for individuals and families who have too often been the ‘shock absorbers’ of systemic disadvantage.
“We must, always and everywhere, recognise and respect the inherent, inalienable, and inviolable dignity of every person – regardless of their circumstances or their prior actions in life.”
Dr Nockles “linked up” with CatholicCare NT staff in support of the No More campaign, a Northern Territory Aboriginal initiative addressing the prevention of domestic and family violence.
A key focus of discussions was the innovative and ambitious expansion strategy for the residential care facility at Crerar Road in Berrimah, an eastern suburb of Darwin.
This long-term plan aims to repurpose the site to directly tackle systemic homelessness among Aboriginal Territorians, providing culturally safe, sustainable housing solutions.
“The Crerar Road expansion represents a bold and necessary step forward in addressing entrenched homelessness in the Northern Territory. It exemplifies CatholicCare NT’s commitment to culturally informed, community-led solutions that empower Aboriginal Territorians to reclaim stability and dignity,” Dr Nockles said.
“This initiative aligns perfectly with CSSA’s broader commitment to Closing the Gap outcomes – it’s about delivering concrete, measurable impact where it matters most.”
CatholicCare NT director Jane Lloyd said it was “affirming” to have the organisation’s “efforts recognised within the broader national conversation about social services”.
“At CatholicCare NT, through our Crerar Road Housing project, our hope is to realise a community where care and connection are available to everyone across the housing continuum, from visitor and crisis support through to long-term stability.”
Dr Nockles acknowledged the Northern Territory Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline in the upcoming budget, but emphasised the importance of ensuring that the Territory’s most disadvantaged are not made to bear the brunt of budget restraint.
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Collaborative Efforts Strengthen Support for Northern Territory’s Most Disadvantaged (CSSA)
