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missing information in both of these counts. For example, no information was available onAboriginal/non-Aboriginal status for 19.5% of the NSW population of children under care orders.b Estimated from the percentage of children referred to care by the statutory agency.c The Victorian Department estimates that there are approximately 300 Aboriginal children in specialised,Aboriginal managed out-of-home care programs, with the possibility of ‘some others’ with otheragencies.Indigenous children are much more likely than others to be ‘notified’ to a welfaredepartment on the ground of abuse or neglect as the following table shows.Abuse and neglect notifications, investigation, substantiation and orders,1995-96(number per 1,000 children)NSW Vic Qld WA SA Tas ACT a NTFinalised investigationsIndigenous childrenAll childrenSubstantiationsIndigenous childrenAll childrenCare and protection orders, 30/6/96Indigenous childrenAll children55 90 42 28 62 27 104 1016 22 14 7 18 19 15 948143081736112326163341015419322592825114256nana129328385114852631056422Source: Government Service Provision 1997 Table 10.1 page 536.a The ACT rates are over-estimated due to the method of calculating the Indigenous population of theTerritory.Note: The table does not indicate what proportion of the children were in substitute care.Indigenous children are more likely than non-Indigenous children to be removed onthe ground of ‘neglect’ rather than ‘abuse’. The graphs below contrast the proportions ofIndigenous children and all children on care and protection orders nationally in 1992-93on the grounds of neglect, sexual assault, emotional abuse and physical abuse.Substantiated cases of neglect constituted 40% of all cases for Indigenous childrencompared with 23% for all children.There is broad agreement among commentators, State and Territory governmentdepartments and Indigenous organisations that Indigenous children who must be removed