Who will
act for
children?

Every child deserves a good life. But government policies have left too many children in poverty, in prison and in need of support.
We have a plan.
But we need you.

National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds

“Too many children are being left behind because children’s rights and wellbeing are not a national priority”

Anne Hollonds
National Children’s Commissioner.

THE PROBLEM

Australia is not the ‘child-friendly’ place many of us like to think it is. For example, Australia ranks a low 32 out of 38 OECD countries on child wellbeing. One in six children are still living in poverty and we trail other rich countries on education standards.

The support systems that should be helping children and their families are overwhelmed by the level need.’

The government must change the way they create policies for children. Because no matter who they are or where they live, every child deserves to thrive.

THE PLAN

The government must be held accountable for evidenced-based action on child safety and wellbeing, and together we can make sure they act. Advocates and organisations across sectors concerned about our governments’ failure to act on evidence and human rights have come together to call to on all governments to make child safety and wellbeing a national priority in Australia.

To achieve this we call for:r:

A Cabinet Minister For Children

We need a dedicated minister who is responsible for the wellbeing and rights of children, and can facilitate co-ordination across all Commonwealth government portfolios with responsibilities for children.

A National Children’s Act

We need legislation that provides accountability for the rights and wellbeing of children now and for future generations, consistent with Australia’s responsibilities under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

A Ministerial Council for Child Wellbeing

A multidisciplinary Council for Child Wellbeing to provide expert advice to the Minister for Children and reporting to National Cabinet. ‘Child Wellbeing’ must be included as an ‘issue of national significance’ for National Cabinet.

A National Plan for Child Wellbeing

We need an overarching national plan with clear portfolio and jurisdictional accountabilities for action.

What’s stopping Australia?

In Australia, the systems that are meant to help children and their families in vulnerable circumstances, such as health, education, housing, and child protection, are out-of-date, fragmented and overwhelmed by the level of need.

This is despite two-thirds of Australians being victims of child maltreatment, including domestic, family and sexual violence. Currently for child wellbeing we don’t have the basic accountability mechanisms that exist for other policy issues.

There is no Minister for Children and no budget reports on child wellbeing. Unlike other critical issues of national significance, ‘child safety and wellbeing’ is not a priority for National Cabinet. This seriously limits accountability and pathways for evidence-based reform.

We might be behind the rest of the world now, but we have a plan the government must get behind.

Can you make change happen?

No matter who is in power, we all have the power to make them act for children. The government must be held accountable, and together we can make sure they act. Join our alliance of child health and wellbeing, human rights, legal, education and advocacy groups.

Show your support and add your organisation's logo here.

To join or for more information contact us: kids@humanrights.gov.au

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ACU Institute of Child Protection Studies

Act for Children Roundtable Series

Learn from Australian and international experts on how we can make child rights real in Australia...

4th December 2024
Can we make children's rights real? Global Insights for Australia

Renowned experts Professor Ursula Kilkelly and Professor Laura Lundy, share their extensive research. Learn first hand about the successes, challenges, and innovative approaches used globally to safeguard children's rights—and discover what steps Australia can take to strengthen our own laws.

21st October 2024
Lessons from Scotland

Bruce Adamson, former Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland, shares his experiences from his six years as commissioner.

2nd August 2024
Roundtable with Clair Fenton-Glynn and John Tobin

Hear from Professor John Tobin and Professor Claire Fenton-Glynn about a National Act for Children and a Commonwealth Minister for Children.

The Act for Children Campaign seeks to strengthen collaboration across the sectors and together amplify the need for child safety and wellbeing to be made a national priority in Australia.

24th April 2024
Roundtable with the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza

Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, speaks about the UK Children Act (2004) which provides the legislative foundations for her role and the other UK Children’s Commissioners. The Act also provides for safeguarding and support for children and young people.

Act for Children Reading List and Useful Links

Roundtable #4 Laura Lundy & Ursula Kilkelly Reading Links
‘Help way earlier!’ – transforming child justice - Australia's Human Rights Commission (2024)
Child Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) Tool

The Act for Children campaign acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their enduring connection to the lands, waters, and skies. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In solidarity, AFC supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the need for truth-telling about the history and impact of colonisation. We treasure the rich and diverse cultures and customs of First Nations people – valued knowledge holders, leaders and partners in creating the conditions for all our children to thrive.

Who will act for children?