New website to help all Australian families

Parents, carers, professionals and community organisations will soon be able to access relevant and up-to-date parenting information on the first national parenting information website.

Speaking at the Australian Institute of Family Studies conference today, Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, announced Raising Children Network as the successful tender to develop and manage the national parenting information website.

The Australian Government will contribute $4 million to this initiative.

“Parents will no longer have to trawl the Internet looking for parenting information. They will have access to the most up-to-date information and services at the click of a button,” Senator Patterson said.

“The parenting information website will also provide invaluable support to health, early childhood and community professionals and volunteers working with parents. It will enable them to readily access information they need, when they need it, regardless of their geographical location.

“Parents can be assured of the quality of the information provided, as all links will be subject to assessment by an editorial committee of experts.”

The website will provide users with information appropriate to their needs including child health, development and parental wellbeing, and information about available services.

Support for this initiative is in response to feedback from parents and professionals in the development of the National Agenda for Early Childhood and consultations conducted as part of the Parenting Information Project.

The initiative was announced in April 2004 as part of the Early Childhood – Invest to Grow initiative under the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy.

“Investment in a national parenting information website is just another example of this Government’s proactive approach to supporting Australia’s parents and carers in fulfilling their important role,” Senator Patterson said.