A strong theme at today's Royal Commission hearing was a lack of engagement between government departments and First Nations parents. Witnesses noted this was linked to historically-founded mistrust of government, and child protection, by First Nations people.

'Kate', a First Nations mother, spoke about differing experiences in interacting with the child protection system for each of her four children. A woman with intellectual disability, ADHD and autism, 'Kate' was sexually assaulted in school and abused by her ex-partner. Her first three children were removed from her care. She retained custody of her fourth child, contacting the department early in her pregnancy with the support of advocacy service, Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS).