Federal Members of Parliament and Senators from across the political spectrum have come together to relaunch the Parliamentary Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster Care, reaffirming bipartisan support for the nearly 45,000 children and young people living in out-of-home care across Australia.

To mark National Child Protection Week 2025, the relaunch aims to draw national attention to the growing pressures on foster carers and the urgent need for reform to strengthen the system and improve outcomes for children and young people.

The Parliamentary Friendship group co-convenors include Sarah Witty MP, Member for Melbourne, Senator Maria Kovacic MP, Senator for NSW, and Kate Chaney MP, Member for Curtin and will highlight the challenges facing carers, resulting in an increased reliance on children entering non-family-based (residential) care arrangements across all jurisdictions.

Quotes attributable to Sarah Witty MP

Sarah Witty MP, Member for Melbourne who is a foster carer and the co-convenor of the group said the Parliamentary Friendship Group plays a vital role in highlighting the challenges facing foster carers and the children they care for.

“To mark Child Protection Week 2025, I am proud to support the re-establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster Care. This is about shining a light on the real challenges families face, and committing to solutions that put children first,” said Ms Witty.

According to the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the number of children entering care remains steady, but the number of new and active foster carers has declined by 21% since 2017.

“Without action, this decline will continue – leaving too many vulnerable children without access to stable, home-based care,” she said.

Quotes attributable to Senator Maria Kovacic

Senator Maria Kovacic, Senator for NSW and co-convenor of the group said that Child Protection Week is a vital reminder that keeping children safe is a responsibility we all share.

“The re-establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster Care reflects a genuine bipartisan commitment to supporting those who open their homes and hearts to provide stability, care and support to some of our most vulnerable children”, said Senator Kovacic.

Quotes attributable to Kate Chaney MP

Kate Chaney MP, Member for Curtin and founding co-convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster Care said Child Protection Week is a time to centre the voices of vulnerable children – and the people who care for them.

“Foster carers are doing extraordinary work under enormous pressure. The Parliamentary Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster Care is an opportunity for us to come together across party lines to push for practical, evidence-based reforms that support carers and deliver better outcomes for kids. This is not a partisan issue; it’s a human one.”

Quotes attributable to Jamie Crosby, Chief Executive Officer Families Australia

Jamie Crosby, Chief Executive Officer of Families Australia, welcomed the continued bipartisan support for the group and urged governments to continue to take steps to improve the experiences of foster carers and the outcomes for children.

“Caring for Australia’s children is a shared responsibility. We must act now to prioritise access to healthcare, reduce financial stress for carers, and improve support across the board,” Mr Crosby said.

“This group plays an important role in raising awareness – and it’s also a powerful reminder of the essential work foster carers do every day. They deserve better, and so do the children in their care.”

Families Australia, alongside members of the National Foster Care Sustainability Group, supports the relaunch of the Parliamentary Friendship Group and continues to advocate for three key reforms: