Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

More support for parents through Federal funding

The Minister for Community Services, Larry Anthony today announced the Federal Government will provide funding of $870,000 to the Good Beginnings national parenting program.

“The Government is committed to supporting strategies which help strengthen family and community relationships,” Mr Anthony said.

“Good Beginnings provides assistance to parents and their families through regular volunteer home visits.

“These visits provide valuable guidance and support to many families throughout Australia. They help to empower parents by promoting confidence and belief in their own parenting skills.”

“I was pleased to meet Barbara Wellesley and Rosemary Sinclair from the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and neglect (NAPCAN) to advise them about the Government’s decision to fund the Good Beginnings program.”

The funding will be distributed across some important initiatives including the four Good Beginnings projects in Sydney (NSW), Katherine (NT), Moe (VIC), and Hobart (TAS).

“The Good Beginnings projects have produced positive results for the families involved,” Mr Anthony said. “This is particularly true for the Men’s Program in Moe and Hobart, which specifically teaches fathers about good parenting.

“An additional $50,000 has been given to Good Beginnings National Office for the Parenting and Contact from the Inside project at Risdon Prison in Hobart.

“This project provides incarcerated fathers with parenting support and the skills to help them prepare for the return to family life.”

Good Beginnings has also been involved in a number of other initiatives, including:

  • the production of a development video for community service professionals working with families;
  • the development of a report on community resources which help families access the services they need; and
  • the evaluation of the Interface Between Professional Home Visiting and Volunteer Home Visiting Programs.

“The Federal Government is proud to continue its support for projects like Good Beginnings that further strengthen Australian families and communities,” Mr Anthony said.