Annual Meeting of the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing
The annual meeting of the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing took place in Canberra at the Department of Social Services on Thursday 29 March 2018.
The National Coalition continues to play an essential role in co-designing and implementing the National Framework as well as being a catalyst for broader thinking around child safety and wellbeing. The day provided clear messages about the vital importance of addressing the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities now and into the future.
There were many highlights including the opening by the Assistant Minister for Children and Families, the Hon. Dr David Gillespie MP. During his address, Dr Gillespie said “…that the protection, safety and wellbeing of Australia’s children remains front and centre of policy decision making.” Dr Gillespie’s media release is here. View his address to the meeting here.
In opening remarks, Dr Brian Babington, CEO, Families Australia and National Coalition Convenor, spoke about the future national policy agenda as one that recognises the National Framework as the foundation of a bolder national initiative on child wellbeing and family strengthening that might, for example, give even stronger emphasis to early prevention and family support, with top priority being accorded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
Dr Babington’s address to the meeting, Our collective national challenge, can be found here.
It was a busy day with four keynote addresses and two consultative round table discussions. Reports of the discussions can be found below:.
Roundtable discussion on child wellbeing and safety beyond 2020.
Ms Natalie Lewis, CEO, QATSICPP, delivered the keynote prior to the national consultation on the Fourth Action Plan of the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009 – 2020.
Ms Lewis provided numerous insights, including a call for empathy and hope: “The National Framework is an important mechanism, to disrupt this paradigm. I, personally, am committed to this process, I keep showing up because I find hope here.” A transcript of Natalie’s speech is here. View her presentation here.
The afternoon Child Aware event was an opportunity to consider future policy ideas centred on child wellbeing and family strengthening. Three keynote addresses canvassed a broad spectrum of ideas and practices. Presentations can be accessed below:
- Adjunct Professor Muriel Bamblett AM presentation slides here. View her presentation here.
- Ms Megan Mitchell presentation slides here. View her presentation here.
- Mr Simon Schrapel AM presentation slides here. View his presentation here.
Join, or find out more information on the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing here.