Media Release by The Hon Julie Collins MP

Priorities set for action plan to protect Australia’s children

Australia’s Community and Disability Services Ministers have today set the priorities to be acted on during the first year of the national plan working for the better protection and safeguarding of our children.

Minister for Community Services, Julie Collins, thanked the State and Territory Ministers for their input at the Standing Council on Community and Disability Services meeting in Hobart.

The meeting agreed on the priority actions of the Second Action Plan 2012-15 of the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020.

“The Second Action Plan is a significant milestone and is taking us closer to ensuring that Australia’s children grow up safe and well,” Ms Collins said.

“It is an ongoing commitment by all Australian governments and the non-government sector to continue working together to reduce child abuse and neglect.

“The protection of children is our number one priority. It is the responsibility of all governments and the sector to do as much as possible to make sure all children have the safe and healthy childhood they deserve,” Ms Collins said.

Priority areas for the first year of the Second Action Plan include:

  • Further work on implementing the National Standards for Out-of-Home Care
  • Building stronger partnerships with service sectors such as domestic and family violence, and health and mental health to support vulnerable children and families
  • Continued work on improving outcomes for Indigenous children

“A survey of out-of-home carers will also take place in year one to help us learn more about them and the support they need,” Ms Collins said.

The First Action Plan 2009-2012 established a firm foundation for the National Framework. The Australian Government provided over $60 million to improve outcomes for vulnerable children under the First Action Plan, including the establishment of the first National Children’s Commissioner position and the development of National Standards for Out-Of-Home care.

The plan is available at www.fahcsia.gov.au