Charges ‘could still be laid’ over Hillcrest tragedy
A court hearing over document access relating to the Hillcrest Primary School jumping castle tragedy has been told charges are still being considered.
children
Hospital’s backlog of radiology images ‘unacceptable’
A Gold Coast hospital is working to clear a backlog of 54,000 radiology images that will take months to clear amid concerns the delays may put patients at risk.
Warning of lingering harm amid rural pediatric squeeze
The children's health charity Royal Far West is warning of worsening complex developmental conditions as families wait years to see specialists.
Man found not guilty of child rape at retrial
Malcolm Laurence Orreal has been found not guilty of rape and indecent treatment of a 12-year-old girl following a second trial ordered by the High Court.
Elders’ efforts are being celebrated during NAIDOC Week
Events are being held all around the country to mark NAIDOC Week, the annual celebration of Indigenous cultures. This year's theme honours the roles of elders.
Arrest warrant for ex-little league coach over abuse
Former primary school teacher and little league coach Ray Cosgriff has failed to appear in court to face 26 historical indecent assault charges.
Review ordered for care system of Qld’s vulnerable kids
Queensland's child safety minister has responded to reports of alleged abuse while announcing a review into the residential care system.
Accused rapist told child to ‘promise you won’t tell’
A Queensland man has faced the first day of his trial on charges of indecent dealing with a child and rape.
Father jailed for 11 years after shaking, killing baby
A Victorian father has been jailed for up to 11 years for violently shaking his newborn son, leading to the baby's death from fatal brain damage.
Pediatrician jailed over child abuse pictures
A pediatrician who helped police catch child abusers has been jailed after being found with abuse material he stored in a computer folder called "Shopping".
Clear shortcomings in Qld hospital audiology review
A review into a Queensland hospital's audiological care has found clear failures within the service that required urgent follow-ups with children.
Health chiefs racing to boost Queensland flu jab rates
Health chiefs will meet to consider ways to boost Queensland's lagging flu vaccinations but the minister suggests free jabs for all might not be the answer.
Trial begins over toddler’s death in neighbour’s unit
A man is on trial accused of killing toddler Jordan Thompson in the NSW Hunter region after the 21-month-old was found unresponsive more than 18 years ago.
Higher power prices locked in but relief elsewhere
Tweaks to the aged care pension, new places on the home guarantee scheme and higher super contributions are among the top changes coming into effect on July 1.
Young Archie winners stun with intimate portraits
The winners of the Young Archie 2023 competition have been revealed, showcasing stunning works from the minds of Australia's best artists under 18 years old.
Mother confesses to trying to kill baby daughter
Wracked with guilt, a woman confessed to police she had tried to kill her daughter weeks after the five-month-old's hospitalisation did not raise suspicion.
Kids were my whole world, McLeod dad tells coroner
Charmaine McLeod's former partner and father of the four children who died in a car crash three years ago has read his victim impact statement to the coroner.
Watchdog cracks down on dodgy sleep products for kids
Rockers and bassinets, toys with button batteries and toppling furniture are in the ACCC's sights as it cracks down on unsafe products for young children.
Post-natal red flags missed in mother who killed baby
The family of a Melbourne woman who took her son's life have called for change to the health care system after red flags were missed by health professionals.
Woman accused of hitting child with spoon to face trial
A woman accused of child cruelty and assault offences over alleged incidents involving a five-year-old girl has been committed to stand trial in Brisbane.
Seatbelt mandate flagged after horror school bus smash
Victoria could look at mandating seat belts on all buses in response to a crash in Melbourne's west that left several children with traumatic injuries.
Bad homes and childhoods foster youth crime: Qld study
Household dysfunction and abuse during childhood sharply increase the likelihood of adolescents committing crime, a new Queensland study shows.
WA premier stands firm on juvenile detainee ‘terrorism’
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan says there is no need for an inquiry into the troubled Banksia Hill detention centre despite a riot at the facility.
Child protection body ‘missing opportunities’ on abuse
The Queensland Family and Child Commission wants to address abuse but often cannot help individual children until it is too late, an inquiry has heard.
Life sentence for mother who murdered, burned kids
Margaret Hawke has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum non-parole period of 25 years, for murdering her three children and burning their bodies.
UN says violence must stop for sake of Sudan’s children
The United Nations has warned of the devastating toll violence in Sudan is taking on children as fierce fighting persists despite another truce agreement.
Palaszczuk defends Queensland’s youth crime laws
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended the state's response to youth crime, insisting Queensland has introduced "the toughest laws in Australia".
Families to talk about missing and murdered loved ones
A parliamentary inquiry into missing and murdered First Nations women and children will hear from victims, survivors and their families in Perth.
Staged lift to criminal responsibility age irks experts
Raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14 in Victoria will be staggered under a government plan criticised by advocates and opponents.
‘Reasonable doubt’ of Folbigg’s guilt, inquiry told
Diary entries used to convict Kathleen Folbigg need to be read in context and should not be considered admissions she harmed her children, a hearing has heard.
Australian children spend more hours on small screens
The amount of screen time Australian children spend watching TV, playing games or using the internet has increased dramatically, figures show.