Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

First annual report on the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

  • The Hon Julie Collins MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services

The first Annual Report on the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020 was released today.

The report outlines actions taken in the first year of the National Framework and brings together data that the Council of Australian Governments will use to measure progress in protecting Australia’s children.

Protecting children at risk requires national leadership and a coordinated national response. The National Framework is an ambitious, long-term approach to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Australian children.

Protecting children is one of the most important responsibilities of all governments.

In the first year, the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and the non-government sector made considerable progress under the 12 national priorities identified in the first three year implementation plan.

Key achievements include:

  • Developing the first ever National Standards for Out of Home Care which were agreed in December 2010. The new national standards will provide a consistent benchmark for the care of children and young people who are unable to live with their parents, no matter where they are.
  • Increasing the Transition to Independence Living Allowance for young people leaving care from $1,000 to $1,500.
  • Rolling out a range of new services including 51 new Indigenous Parenting Support Services across Australia; eight Communities for Children Plus sites to provide coordinated support from child and family services and state child protection authorities to children at risk; and new Kids in Focus: Family Drug Support services for children at risk from parental drug and alcohol abuse; and
  • Introducing new processes for sharing information between Centrelink, Medicare Australia and the Child Support Agency and state child protection authorities. This assists in investigations of suspected cases of abuse and neglect and ensures better care for children in out of home care. Since the new arrangements began in 2009, 14,833 requests for information have been responded to.

The Annual Report 2009-10 and further information on the National Framework is available at www.fahcsia.gov.au