What's New
Better Support for Carers Submission
Families Australia's submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committe on Family, Community, Housing and Youth Inquiry into better support for Carers here.
CEO looks back on Families Australia’s recent achievements
In 2009, Families Australia celebrates its eighth year. It is pleasing to look back on considerable achievements in such a relatively short time.
If we look at the Families Australia mandate – to promote the interests of families at the national level – we are now positioned as an influential, independent policy voice in political, public and sectoral arenas. The past 1-2 years have seen us successfully take a leading role in policy areas, such as grandparenting and child protection. We have achieved a reputation among many politicians for even-handedness and independence. In the lead-up to the 2007 Federal Election, ‘100 Policy Ideas’ were widely read across the political spectrum, and some of the suggestions that we and others advanced were adopted – principally, for a National Child Protection Framework, a ‘State of the Family’ Report, and the creation of an office for work and family. read more
Grandparenting
Families Australia's consultations in late 2006 and 2007 found that many grandparents, especially those with primary caring responsibilities for grandchildren, would benefit from additional financial, social and emotional support, and from better targeted information about how to get help. Families Australia makes 29 recommendations to better support grandparents. read the report and presentations
White Ribbon Day
Families Australia is a proud supporter of White Ribbon Day - the day set aside on 25 November each year in Australia and internationally to highlight the need to eliminate violence against women and children. On White Ribbon Day everyone is encouraged to wear a White Ribbon as a visible sign that the wearer does not support or condone the use of violence against women and children.
White Ribbon Day was created by a group of Canadian men in 1991 on the second anniversary of one man's massacre of 14 women in Montreal. They began a campaign to urge men to speak out about violence against women. In 1999, the UN General Assembly declared November 25 the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) and the White Ribbon has become the symbol for the day.
Among the many facets of activity for White Ribbon Day, hundreds of men have been appointed as White Ribbon Day Ambassadors representing major political parties, the entertainment industry, business, military, police, and the government and community sectors. Families Australia CEO Brian Babington is a White Ribbon Day Ambassador and a member of the White Ribbon Day National Leadership Group. For more information about White Ribbon Day, visit www.whiteribbonday.org.au