National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing


Read the latest National Coalition bulletins here.


National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing Annual Meeting 2023

The Annual Meeting of the National Coalition was held on Thursday 1 June 2023 with close to 100 members and stakeholders in attendance. Keynote presentations included:  

  • Findings and implications: Australian Child Maltreatment Study 2019-23 by Professor Ben Mathews (QUT) and Professor Daryl Higgins (ACU); and  
  • An update from the Attorney-General’s Department (Commonwealth) on child safety and wellbeing initiatives by Chris Collett, First Assistant Secretary, Children and Families Division, Attorney-General’s Department. 

Click to read the summary of the 2023 Annual Meeting.


First Action Plans | Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031

Member briefing was held: Tuesday 28 March from 3:30pm-5:00pm (AEDT)

Following the release of the Safe and Supported Action Plans on 31 January 2023, the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing will be holding a Safe and Supported briefing for members on Tuesday 28 March from 3:30pm-5:00pm (AEDT). Senior representatives of the four governance partners will discuss content of the action plans, the focus of immediate efforts and be available for general discussion & questions:

  • Tim Crosier, Branch Manager, Children’s Policy, Department of Social Services (representing DSS)
  • Fiona Ward, Deputy Chief Executive, Department for Child Protection, South Australian Government, (representing the States and Territories)
  • Catherine Liddle, CEO, SNAICC Voice for our Children (representing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group); and
  • Jamie Crosby, CEO, Families Australia (representing the National Coalition).

The National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing (National Coalition) comprises non-government organisations and researchers who are committed to advancing the national campaign on child safety and wellbeing in Australia. Families Australia convenes the National Coalition.


Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children

Release of Action Plans | 31 January 2023

The National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing welcomes the release of Action Plans to put into effect Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031.

“Supporting children, young people and families to thrive, so all children and young people are kept safe and out of the care and protection systems, is vital. For them, and for the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

“Children thrive when they and their families are supported by strong services, co-ordinated systems, and a society that values them.”

“The safety and wellbeing of our children should be Australia’s most compelling national priority. Yet, despite a decade of concerted effort to advance child safety, thousands of Australian children remain subject to abuse, violence and neglect” said Jamie Crosby, Convenor of the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing.

For a copy of the full press release click here.

More information on the Safe and Supported first action plan (2023-2026) can be found on the Australian Government Families and Children website.


National Coalition Steering Group

A Steering Group is the principal representative group for the National Coalition. Steering Group members also serve on the National Forum for Protecting Australia’s Children, a high-level group that also comprises senior Commonwealth, State and Territory Government officials. The National Forum meets 2-3 times per annum to oversee progress with the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020 (National Framework).

Steering Group members were appointed by the broader National Coalition at the outset of the National Framework to represent a range of areas, including research, peak bodies, out-of-home care, family support, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and communities. Membership of the Steering Group has evolved in the course of the National Framework to ensure that representation aligns with Action Plan priorities.

National Coalition Steering Group members are:

  • Professor Leah Bromfield, Director, Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia
  • Professor Amy Conley Wright, Research Centre for Children and Families, The University of Sydney
  • Dr Lauren Lines, Lecturer in Nursing, Flinders University
  • Dr Rosa Flaherty, Manager Practice Development, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
  • Ms Felicity Kime, President and Peer Worker, Family Inclusion Strategies Hunter (FISH)
  • Ms Catherine Liddle, CEO, SNAICC National Voice for Our Children
  • Ms Annette Michaux, Director, Parenting Research Centre
  • Mr Paul McDonald, CEO Anglicare Victoria
  • Ms Amber Ward, NDIS Practice Lead, Thrive House QLD
  • Mr Jamie Crosby, Convenor, National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing / CEO Families Australia

(as at March 2023)


Join the National Coalition

Membership of the National Coalition is free. Members receive quarterly e-bulletins. Please email Families Australia (admin@familiesaustralia.org.au) for more information.

National Coalition membership stands at over 200 organisations, consultants and academics.
The list of Members can be accessed here.