Solo, queer parents-to-be facing donor sperm ‘drought’
Australians are facing a shortage of donor sperm, with advocates saying more consistent regulation is vital to keep would-be parents and children safe.
parent and child
Father ‘weird’ after son’s fatal burns, coroner told
A father appeared "disconnected" from his seriously injured son who had suffered soon-to-be fatal burns during a house fire, police officers have testified.
‘Distressing’: parents to attend baby death inquest
The death of a baby girl and the injuries found at her autopsy led police to put her parents under covert audio and internet surveillance, a coroner has heard.
Alarm raised over vaccination rates in twin pregnancy
Pregnant women expecting twins are being encouraged to get the flu and whooping cough vaccines as they do not increase the risk of birth complications.
Social media ban a ‘success’ with 4.7m accounts blocked
Australia's online safety watchdog has compared new social media age restrictions to vehicle speed limits as data shows the scale of the under 16s ban.
Cheaper child care to ease pressures on working parents
More than 120,000 Australian children will have access to early childhood education under a change guaranteeing subsidised care three days a week.
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.
History-making miracle premmie continues to defy odds
Tiny Charlie Jones has made history as one of the smallest premature babies in the country - tipping the scales at just 360 grams.
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.
PM brands social media ban a success before it starts
The rollout of Australia's landmark social media ban will be untidy, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese admits, but he says it is already a success.
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.
‘Inconvenient’ childcare close times to keep kids safe
Childcare centres will close early every couple of months for staff to undergo mandatory training in a bid to provide a safer environment for kids.
Shattered families disappointed by coronial findings
The families of two young police officers killed in an ambush at a remote property say they are disappointed by the coroner's recommendations.
Social media ban lacks teeth, former executive warns
Social media giants earning billions in revenue will view penalties under Australia's ban for under-16s as "peanuts", a former Facebook executive says.
Landmark puberty block ban reinstated by government
A transgender teen's mother is set to discuss legal options after a state government reinstated a puberty blocker ban soon after it was overturned in court.
Abuse claims surge against childcare, pre-school staff
Allegations of abuse and misconduct involving childcare workers and early educators are on the rise, a watchdog warns.
More charges loom for father of boy killed in crash
Police are probing domestic violence links to a fatal car crash that killed a three-year-old boy despite desperate attempts by officers to save him.
Teen’s tears for dead baby brother after mum’s cruelty
A mother has walked free from court but will never be forgiven by her oldest son after the devastating death of his baby brother.
‘Inconsistencies’ trigger appeal in toddler death probe
Information given to detectives investigating the death of a toddler has been inconsistent, police say, prompting an appeal for witnesses.
Coroner probes death of newborn baby in hospital
The death of a baby five days after an emergency caesarean is being probed by a coroner to determine if the boy could have been saved.
‘Children over shareholders’: sector grilled for lapses
A childcare inquiry has prompted apologies from publicly listed providers for any harm caused to the thousands of kids under their protection.
‘Utterly heartbreaking’: jail for fatal neglect of baby
A man has been jailed over the "heartbreaking" death of an eight-month-old baby after he was left in a filthy room for almost 24 hours as his carers took drugs.
Shift needed to help young asthmatics breathe easier
A peak body is highlighting National Asthma Awareness Week by driving a cultural shift in how asthma is treated in childhood - from relievers to preventers.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.