Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

National Child Protection Week 2012 – Play Your Part

Joint Media Release with:

  • Jenny Macklin MP

    Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

    Minister for Disability Reform

  • Julie Collins MP

    Minister for Community Services
    Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development
    Minister for the Status of Women

The Minister for Families, Jenny Macklin, and the Minister for Community Services, Julie Collins, are encouraging all Australians to play their part in National Child Protection Week, which begins today.

Ms Macklin said the Australian Government was proud to be supporting the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) with $300,000 to deliver this year’s National Child Protection Week.

“The theme of this year’s National Child Protection Week is Play Your Part, which aims to get all Australians involved in thinking about what role they can play keeping our children and young people safe from violence, abuse and neglect,” Ms Macklin said.

“There were 30,000 confirmed cases of child abuse or neglect in Australia in 2010-2011 – and these are the cases we know about.

“We know governments cannot tackle this problem alone. It’s also up to family, friends, neighbours and communities to make sure we can end child abuse and neglect.”

Ms Collins said the Australian Government is determined to ensure children can grow up in happy and healthy environments.

“Protecting children and their right to live a safe and happy life is one of the most important responsibilities of any government,” Ms Collins said.

“We will continue to work through the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children to improve the lives of all Australian children.

“Through the National Framework, we have already taken the necessary steps so families and children can get services that focus on their needs – especially for children most at risk,” Ms Collins said.

The National Framework operates through a series of three-year action plans.

The First Action Plan 2009-2012 saw significant achievements such as the release of National Standards for Out-of-home Care and the establishment of a National Children’s Commissioner.

The Second Action Plan, endorsed by the Standing Council on Community and Disability Services on August 17 this year, focuses on ‘working together’ with government, the non-government sector and the community to improve the safety and wellbeing of Australia’s children.

For more information about National Child Protection Week visit: www.playyourpart.org.au