Free childcare, more subsidies urged for those in need
About half of Australian families will benefit from more subsidies and free childcare if the federal government pursues a sustainable path to universal access.
children
Childcare rapist to face sentencing for 307 offences
A childcare worker who admitted dozens of rapes of young girls is due to face sentencing after a prosecutor pleaded not to keep the families of victims waiting.
Landmark settlements for children detained in Nauru
Two children held in offshore detention in Nauru have secured settlements with the Australian government over harm caused to them in a protracted legal battle.
Social media ban poses barrier to mental health support
Mental health services and youth advocacy groups say they will find it harder to connect with young people if the government goes ahead with a social media ban.
‘Petrified’ siblings fight for their lives after blaze
The father of one-of-the-three children found unconscious inside a burning home says one child may not survive as the siblings remain critical in hospital.
‘Two precious souls’: tributes grow for slain boys
A mother of two boys found dead in the Blue Mountains remains under police guard, as the community mourns the loss by laying tributes at the family home.
Children promised a say on social media age ban plans
Some young people will get around an age limit on social media but a ban is still needed to protect children, the prime minister says.
Home-alone probe as kids in house fire fight for life
Three children, aged from one to five, are in a critical condition as police investigate the cause of a house fire and whether they were home alone.
Meta’s latest news ban an error but maybe not next time
Facebook parent company Meta has told an inquiry it did not intend to block news stories from its platforms in August, but it is keeping its options open.
‘Horrific’ figures as DV services given funding boost
Frontline services supporting women and children fleeing domestic violence won't get an immediate funding boost, as Australian leaders agree to a new package.
Early childhood education faces ‘workforce crisis’
Demand for early childhood education is soaring as the population grows but the sector is bleeding workers.
Trump to vote against Florida abortion rights amendment
Donald Trump says he will vote against a Florida abortion rights amendment even as his support among woman slides.
Mother, US man jailed over sexual abuse of daughter
A collaboration by Australian and United States authorities has sent a woman and man to jail for abusing her daughter and a string of child abuse offences.
One in four Aussies in ‘childcare deserts’ missing out
Australians living in the regions and metropolitan outskirts are missing out on child care as providers preference areas where they can charge the highest fees.
Governments urged to ‘be honest’ on youth justice
Indigenous children's organisations are urging governments to 'be honest' about Australia's youth justice system, and invest in community-led solutions.
Closure for patients as Monash IVF settles for $56m
Monash IVF has agreed to a $56 million settlement over a landmark class action regarding the destruction of embryos during non-invasive genetic screening.
‘Great pain’ not enough to require help for dying girl
A woman accused of killing a young girl by withholding her insulin told police she would not have called an ambulance even if the girl was writhing in pain.
Prosecution rests in church trial over child’s death
After weeks of hearings, prosecutors in the trial of 14 church group members accused of killing a girl by withholding insulin have finished presenting evidence.
Hospital accepts failings after pleas for help ignored
An anguished mother has sobbed in court as she detailed being "ignored" by hospital staff as she pleaded for them to help her sick daughter before she died.
‘Unresolved justice’ for families of murdered women
A landmark report into missing and murdered First Nations women and children is merely "tinkering at the edges" and won't deliver justice, an expert has warned.
Snapchat rejects Aussie calls to raise social media age
Lifting the age limit for children on social media platforms would leave existing users adrift, Snapchat's safety head says, and should be a family decision.
Murdered Indigenous women, kids ‘got little justice’
An inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and children wants a review into policing practices across the nation, after handing down a final report.
Murdered Indigenous women, kids report ‘demands action’
Parliament is being urged to "put some teeth" into action recommended by an inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and children.
Backflip on age laws to quell alarm over youth crime
Victoria's axing of a promise to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 has been praised by police but rebuked by Indigenous, legal and youth advocates.
Ex-teacher denies historical child sexual offences
An-ex teacher has proclaimed his innocence when released on bail, charged with sexual crimes against 19 children at a Brisbane school from the late 1980s.
Ex-Catholic brother jailed again for child sex abuse
An 81-year-old former Catholic brother has been jailed for sexually abusing children more than three decades ago while a teacher at a Queensland school.
Coroner warns top official to be ‘truthful’ at hearing
A coroner has reminded WA's deputy corrections commissioner she is under oath amid tough questions at an inquest for a teen who died in custody.
Hillcrest jumping castle to be re-inflated, examined
A coroner has granted permission for a jumping castle involved in the deaths of six primary school students to be examined as part of legal proceedings.
Boy catastrophically injured trying to save his brother
A distraught mother has detailed hearing a car run over her two sons as they were playing, telling a court her eight-year-old son will never be the same.
Accused killer mum ‘praying’ when girl’s breath stopped
A manslaughter-accused mother previously jailed for failing to seek treatment for her daughter said it was a "miracle" she had survived a near-fatal coma.
‘No regrets’ over girl’s death: accused dad to police
A body-worn camera has captured an exchange between police officers and a man accused of murdering his eight-year-old daughter by withholding her medication.