MEDIA RELEASE
17 November 2009 (UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 1AM 18 NOVEMBER)
‘BECAUSE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES MATTER’: ANALYSIS OF GOVERNMENT
REFORMS RELEASED
UnitingCare Australia and the Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales,
have released an analysis of the Government’s recent policy reforms for children, young people
and families.
The report, Because Children and Families Matter, assesses the key reforms of 2009 related to
children, youth and families, including the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children,
the youth compact, initiatives to reduce homelessness and violence against women, and reforms
in early childhood development and learning.
National Director of UnitingCare Australia Lin Hatfield Dodds said, “The Government’s many
policy initiatives represent a visionary reform agenda and provide opportunities for genuine
improvements in the lives of this and future generations. We welcome the Government’s
recognition of the need to prevent and respond to problems and build healthy, nurturing
environments for all. However, we need greater integration of these separate initiatives to make
sure no-one falls through the gaps, and vulnerable children get the support and services they
need.”
The report’s co-author Professor Deborah Brennan of the Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW,
said, “This analysis is a first step in understanding how these various reforms can actually deliver
on the social inclusion agenda for children, young people and families. It also points to ways to
enhance and better integrate efforts across communities, the service system and different
jurisdictions.”
The release of the report comes in a week that provides an important opportunity to take stock of
how past policies have affected children, youth and families and what we might learn from these –
the same week as the Prime Minister apologised to the Forgotten Australians, the 20th
anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the release of figures by
CREATE which show that too many children and young people in care are missing out on
opportunities available to other Australian children.
Jane Woodruff, CEO of UnitingCare Children, Young People and Families, said, “The national
reform agenda must be looked at through the eyes of those affected – children, young people and
families – so we really know what works, what doesn’t and where the gaps are. With that
approach we can deliver better outcomes for all children, young people and families.”
To view the report, go to:
Media Contact: Mark Warren 02 9407 3217; 0414 617 806; mwarren@burnside.org.au
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