Family suspect twist in likely death of missing boy Gus
A family member of missing four-year-old Gus Lamont is a suspect in the boy's disappearance, as police declare his likely death a major crime.
children
Medical workers ‘robbed’ child of chance at survival
Parents of a 15-year-old who died in hospital after an allergic reaction have called for an apology after a coroner found missed opportunities for his survival.
Tech behemoths lashed over child abuse protections
Technology giants are not doing enough to tackle the worst examples of child sexual abuse material online, according to Australia's online safety boss.
Accused child predator to remain in custody
A Queensland man accused of preying on hundreds of children using fake profiles online will remain in custody after being charged with more than 600 offences.
Australian social media ban both a success and failure
Australian laws banning children from social media have the world talking but two months in, experts say they are far from foolproof.
Ex-NRL player’s child-choking and assault charges heard
Josh McGuire's solicitor has pressed for "pertinent" evidence to be disclosed to his legal team after the ex-NRL star was charged with assaulting a child.
‘Pariah’: children’s author jailed for grooming teens
A children's author who admitted grooming teenage girls online used and abused his position as a ruse for his own sexual gratification, a judge has heard.
‘Cute boy’: teacher guilty of procuring child for sex
A former elite-school teacher's disturbingly graphic messages to a 15-year-old have been revealed as he was found guilty of procuring a child for sex.
No concern over delay to kids’ autism program, says PM
Anthony Albanese insists a delay to an early intervention program for children with autism is about making sure the government gets it right.
Mum who skipped court bailed again over child homicides
A mother accused of child homicide over the deaths of two young girls has walked free on bail a second time despite a warrant being issued over skipping court.
Teacher’s alleged plot to ‘pimp’ out drugged children
A teacher has been refused bail for allegedly planning to drug and sexually assault a boy and girl in "revolting" messages found on his phone.
Hearing checks urged before children return to school
Hearing problems can affect a child's ability to listen, learn and build important skills at school, and Indigenous children are at higher risk of ear issues.
Driver could be freed in 15 months after girl’s death
A 25-year-old driver has been jailed after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of a little girl after she was thrown metres into the air.
Childcare worker used kids to make sex abuse material
A failed police officer who was moonlighting as a childcare worker has admitted taking explicit images of children as young as four while in his care.
One mum’s baby bundles become life-changing charity
A pack of newborn clothes posted online and a conversation with a social worker were the beginnings of a charity focused on Indigenous mums and their babies.
How Indigenous culture is enriching preschoolers’ days
Parents and children are learning together at one preschool, which has embedded Indigenous language and culture into each day's events.
Social media ban hailed a success despite workarounds
The prime minister says his under-16s social media ban belongs in the pantheon of world-leading Australian innovations like the secret ballot.
Jumping castle inquest ‘open to different findings’
A coroners court has provided a significant update on preparations for an inquest into the deaths of six primary school children in a jumping castle accident.
‘Obscene’ rates of Indigenous child removals persist
Indigenous children continue to be removed from family at 'obscene' rates, as advocates urge an overhaul of how child protection is approached.
New federal body, ministry proposed to protect kids
An inquiry has heard that greater federal oversight is necessary to stop child predators from exploiting gaps in Australia's childcare sector.
‘Harrowing’ failures to track down horrific pedophile
Australia's worst pedophile should have been stopped long before he was finally caught and sentenced to life in prison, a review has found.
More victims identified in childcare sexual abuse probe
Accused former childcare sexual abuser Joshua Brown is facing dozens of additional charges after authorities identified a further four alleged victims.
Author horrified toddler taboo book seen as pedophilic
A Christian charity executive was shocked her book Daddy's Little Toy about an adult role-playing as a toddler was seen as pedophilic, a court has been told.
Law change for ‘horror’ car thefts with kids inside
Stealing a car with a young child inside will be classified as a carjacking under state "adult time for violent crime" laws set to be rammed through parliament.
State moves to ban unnecessary intersex child surgery
Unnecessary procedures on intersex children will be prohibited under laws to be introduced by one Australian state in a move hailed by advocates.
YouTube ‘outright weird’ for saying platform isn’t safe
YouTube needs to fix its safety after the tech giant criticised Australia's world-leading laws protecting kids, the communications minister says.
Action urged as ‘bad systems’ violate children’s rights
'Tough on crime' measures are pushing problems down the road, advocates say as a report into youth justice reveals children's rights are being violated.
Family pain as mum jailed for ‘suitcase murder’ of kids
Close relatives of a woman jailed for murdering her children and hiding their bodies in suitcases told a New Zealand court of their deep pain at the tragedy.
‘Grandiose fantasies’ consumed killer taekwondo teacher
A taekwondo instructor taken by "grandiose fantasies" before murdering a family of three has been forced to confront the pain of his victim's loved ones.
Tears in court as killer driver faces toddler’s family
There were emotional scenes in a packed courtroom as Kamal Ghali admitted dangerous driving causing three-year-old Mila Wang's death when he ran a red light.
Ready or not, social media ban demands a family plan
Australia's world-first social media ban for children under 16 is imminent but the details of its rollout and enforcement remain fuzzy.