Alarm raised as tough on crime policy ‘infects’ nation
Incarcerating children increases crime, legal advocates say, as they raise concern about the youth justice reforms "infecting" the country.
children
Female teacher admits ongoing sex abuse of child
A female teacher used her friendship with a 12-year-old female to manipulate them into being sexually abused at school and other locations over multiple years.
Cross-party nod for probe into ‘rogue’ childcare firms
Shocking claims of rampant child mistreatment in privately operated centres have triggered a government-backed inquiry into the early education sector.
Woman tortured, neglected young girl for months: police
Police have alleged a woman assaulted, tortured and neglected a four-year old girl over, leaving her with bruising, burns, fractures and disfigurement.
Child removal ‘deepening wounds’ in Indigenous families
First Nations children in one state are 20 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous kids, a report from Human Rights Watch has found.
Youth crime crackdown all ‘hammer’ on troubled kids
Spiking youth crime is being used to justify harsher proposed bail laws in a state some argue is neglecting its responsibility as legal guardian to many.
‘A risk’: Australia’s youngest murderer to be set free
One of Australia's most notorious killers is considered a risk of planning a violent revenge, but he will still be given another chance to be in the community.
‘I’ll never forgive’: survivor, as boys’ killer jailed
A large sentence discount has been awarded to a man behind the deaths of two young brothers, found in a crumpled car still dressed in their school uniforms.
Teens charged with rape, armed robbery in brutal attack
Three teenagers are accused of breaking into a home in Cairns, holding a couple at knife-point and sexually assaulting a woman.
Woman spared jail over ‘disgusting’ sexual abuse of boy
A woman helped her violent and abusive partner give methamphetamine to a 13-year-old boy before the couple sexually assaulted him, a judge has heard.
Operator ‘hung out to dry’ by Hillcrest castle maker
A 'dust devil' that lifted a jumping castle into the air, killing six primary school children, could not have been foreseen, a court has been told.
‘Living in cardboard box’: child deaths under review
A report into dozens of child deaths has indicated kids were being lost in a state's residential care system that had "forgotten how to care".
Stolen generations need support ‘before it’s too late’
Ageing stolen generations survivors need urgent action to ensure they can live out the remainder of their lives in dignity, advocates say.
Longer youth bail crackdown ‘training kids for crime’
A temporary crackdown aimed at curbing violent youth crime will be extended for three years in a decision that critics say will do nothing to reduce offending.
Kids have ‘no hope’ with tough on crime policies
Tough on crime policies do not work, a senate inquiry has been told as advocates call for oversight of state and territory youth justice legislation.
Young trans patients denied hormone therapy amid probe
Critics slam a state government's suspension of hormone therapies for young trans patients amid a probe, saying it will cause "immeasurable trauma".
Massive brawl before two boys shot in ‘horrific’ attack
Police are investigating youth gang links after two teens were shot following a street brawl involving dozens of young people.
Warning to parents after dingo attacks four-year-old
Rangers are urging parents to be vigilant after a dingo attacked a four-year-old at a popular Queensland tourist destination.
Two-year-old bitten in second dingo attack in two days
Two people have been bitten by dingoes in separate attacks at a popular tourist destination during the busy Australia Day long weekend.
Dead nine-year-old suffered ‘significant’ head injury
Police allege a nine-year-old boy had been in the care of a 24-year-old woman at the time of his death, as she faced court on one charge of murder.
Inquiry launched into ‘failures’ of child protection
The failures of a state's child protection and working-with-children checks will be probed following the jailing of one of Australia's worst pedophiles.
Warning ‘discriminatory’ changes target Aboriginal kids
The Northern Territory government has been urged to drop proposed changes that would make it easier to remove Aboriginal children from their communities.
Vow to fight childcare predator’s life sentence appeal
A state government will "forcefully defend its position" as a former childcare worker seeks to appeal his life sentence for hundreds of sexual abuse offences.
Parents shell out billions as back-to-school costs rise
Technology is a major factor in rising back-to-school costs as Australian teachers notice an increase in students without the essentials.
State you crime squad to swoop on youth crime areas
A youth crime task force is set to be bolstered by the addition of 41 officers a month after a state passed tougher laws.
Infants ‘ate food scraps off floor of childcare centre’
A childcare centre will remain closed after allegations of infants eating off the floor, staff scrolling on their phones and other serious issues were aired.
Tried and true names most popular for babies in 2024
Australian parents-to-be are sticking with tried and true names, with Oliver, Noah, Isla and Charlotte topping the baby name charts again.
Investigation as child’s body found after caravan fire
An investigation is under way after the body of a child was found following a caravan fire.
Youth crime ‘revolving door’ as dozens of kids arrested
A debate over youth crime has fired up again after dozens of young people were arrested over armed robberies, car thefts and burglaries over the new year break.
Mum says she reported pedophile 13 years before arrest
A police ethical investigation team is reviewing claims a mother reported abuse by one of Australia's worst pedophiles more than a decade before his arrest.
Tears as whistleblower who exposed pedophile cleared
A whistleblower has burst into tears after she was acquitted following allegations she leaked information about one of Australia's worst pedophiles.