Foreword
Australia’s children deserve a safe, healthy and happy childhood.
Our children must be able to grow up properly nourished and supported in loving and caring environments. They must have time to be children with all the wonder, happiness and innocence that childhood should bring.
Over recent years the reported levels of child neglect and abuse in Australia have increased at an alarming rate. Child abuse has become an issue of national concern. Meanwhile, statutory child protection systems are struggling under the load.
The Australian Government is determined to take a national leadership role that builds the partnership across government and the community that is essential to protect all Australian children.
Before the last election, we committed to developing and implementing a National Child Protection Framework to help keep children safe from abuse and neglect.
The Australian Government wants to work with State and Territory Governments, service delivery organisations, and child protection experts in a concerted, integrated effort. Working together under a National Framework we can make a difference.
Successive reports of shocking levels of child abuse in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities demand a national response which harnesses all the resources of all governments.
The Australian Government will drive this national response to stop the abuse and neglect of children and to turn around entrenched and unacceptable levels of Indigenous disadvantage.
We know child neglect and abuse is not just confined to Indigenous communities in remote Australia. Children are also at risk in our regions, cities, towns and suburbs. It is the responsibility of the national government to take every possible measure to help stop abuse wherever it occurs.
This discussion paper does not claim to have all the answers; but it raises issues that must be considered and acted on if we are to make the system work for our children.
I am confident that through this discussion paper, we can start developing the strategies and measures necessary to give all Australian children the chance to grow up safe and well.
The Hon Jenny Macklin MP
Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs