Ex-reporter in child abuse material case seeks evidence
A former TV reporter with A Current Affair is in custody while charged with more than 60 offences of transmitting child sexual abuse material.
children
Grieving parents dismayed after driver goes free
The grieving parents of a boy killed when a woman drove through his school fence have called for legislative change to make sure drivers are held accountable.
Young authors hoping croc book inspires next generation
Indigenous Literacy Day is showcasing the strength in stories with a new book about a croc thwarted by local kids and a film made in remote communities.
Young authors hoping croc book inspires next generation
Indigenous Literacy Day is showcasing the strength in stories with a new book about a croc thwarted by local kids and a film made in remote communities.
Social media ban no ‘watertight’ fix for child safety
A social media ban is unlikely to completely protect kids from online harms as questions remain over age-assurance technology.
‘Endless grief’ for parents of boy run over at school
The parents of a young boy killed as he sat at a school picnic table have questioned why the killer driver only faces a careless driving charge.
Girl accused of attempted murder withdraws bail bid
A girl accused of stealing a vehicle in an attempt to reach an equine therapy centre then stabbing her foster carer remains behind bars.
Huge cost of missing early intervention for children
A failure to identify health and development issues in young Australians is costing $22.3 billion annually, described as a "wake-up call" for governments.
No ‘idle threat’: childcare on notice as reforms agreed
Education ministers have agreed to a national CCTV trial in childcare centres, a workers register and mandatory training as providers are warned to shape up.
Childcare reforms count on tech too much to stop abuse
Childcare workers will be placed under greater monitoring and supervision but experts say deeper issues within the sector are enabling predatory behaviour.
Child sex offenders to be known in public registry
New laws will allow parents in one state to search for child sex offenders who live nearby but some groups say the changes could do more harm than good.
Youngest senator describes battle with depression
Australia's youngest senator celebrated her 21st birthday on election night, and has laid bare her journey to the nation's federal parliament.
Lost trust prompts swift overhaul for childcare checks
A state premier has promised to overhaul childcare safeguards after admitting parents' trust has been shattered by "horrific" allegations of abuse.
Bail bid delayed for attempted murder-accused girl
A 12-year-old girl has been accused of stabbing her foster carer and stealing a vehicle in order to visit a horse therapy facility, a magistrate has heard.
Mum’s justice plea for coffee-attack baby as man found
Almost a year after an attack that shocked a nation, the mother of a baby badly burnt by a stranger's coffee is still seeking justice for her recovering son.
State squeezes feds on national CCTV trial in childcare
A national trial of CCTV in childcare centres is expected to be discussed at a meeting of federal, state and territory ministers after a damning safety review.
The wrong fit: children with autism moved off NDIS
A plan to divert children with autism and development delays from the NDIS is crucial to ensure the scheme remains sustainable, the disability minister says.
‘Standard practice’: summiteers play down Treasury leak
Experts believe there's still hope for reform at an upcoming productivity roundtable after Treasury recommendations arising from the summit were leaked.
Tougher national working with kids scheme by year’s end
Australia will fast-track the rollout of reforms for working with children checks after the existing system was slammed by the prime minister as "hopeless".
Reforms begin to close working-with-children loopholes
An urgent plan to close loopholes in working with children checks will not "reinvent the wheel" but the government is confident it will help protect children.
‘Tragic’ childcare abuse shouldn’t drive kneejerk shift
Parents are questioning whether to send their children to preschool in the wake of horror abuse reports and trust in the sector is at a new low, advocates say.
‘Not acceptable’: child ‘groomer’ retains work permit
Authorities are racing to cancel a blacklisted educator's working with children permit after his ex-employer substantiated claims of inappropriate behaviour.
Parents urged to go to police with childcare concerns
Childcare educators are working for years after being banned and police want parents to report suspicions immediately to protect kids, an inquiry has been told.
School principal’s historical sexual abuse appeal fails
An ex-school principal's appeal has been dismissed after his defence argued a child abuse conviction was based on a victim's "dreams and nightmares".
‘This is the moment’: teachers strike over wage deal
Thousands of educators have walked off the job, shutting down a city CBD as they marched on parliament, as union officials flag more action.
Ex-cop charged with ‘sickening’ abuse of childcare kids
An after-school-care worker was a serving police officer at the time he allegedly produced child abuse material of 10 pre-school-aged victims.
‘Gaping hole’ in social media ban as YouTube plugged in
YouTube will be included in a social media ban for children under 16, but uncertainty surrounds how the world-first laws will be enforced.
Indigenous kids in focus for ‘broken’ care system probe
The number of Indigenous youths in out-of-home care and the youth justice system will form a key part of an inquiry into a troubled child-safety system.
Worried parents demand national childcare watchdog
Plans to strip funding from childcare operators that fail to meet safety standards could place a greater burden on parents, advocacy groups warn.
Gaza baby starves to death weighing less than when born
The latest child to starve to death in Gaza weighed less than when she was born.
Police given more time to investigate accused pedophile
A childcare worker accused of abusing eight children is expected to face further charges as prosecutors successfully applied for more time to gather evidence.