No child’s play for Nationals in regional battleground
National Party leader David Littleproud has kicked off a renewed battle to win back a key coalition seat, promising to even the score in regional Australia.
parent and child
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.
Missing boy’s foster dad quashes ‘bootstrap’ conviction
The former foster father of missing toddler William Tyrrell has overturned a conviction over the intimidation of another child during a school-run verbal spat.
Church group who killed girl asked to meet psychiatrist
The wait for a 14-strong religious group to be sentenced for killing an eight-year-old girl after withholding her medication continues after a court review.
‘Cult’ led family from baptism joy to girl’s slow death
A father stood between his wife's belief in shunning medicine and his daughter's need for life-saving insulin before his resolve crumbled amid a family crisis.
Inquest after church group found guilty of killing girl
A coroner will inquire into the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs after her medicine was withheld by religious group members who included her parents.
Baby’s ‘heart stopped’ after mum gave drugs, court told
A social media influencer has applied for bail after being accused of "offensive" acts, making her infant nearly fatally ill, in order to gain fame and money.
System ‘failed to protect’ girl from parents, church
The system "failed to protect" a diabetic girl killed by her parents and a small religious group who withheld her medication for days, the victim's sister says.
Social media influencer accused of drugging baby bailed
A social media influencer accused of drugging her baby to gain game online fame by manufacturing symptoms that led to surgery has been granted bail.
Subsidy boost may do little to improve childcare access
While families have saved thousands of dollars under an expanded childcare subsidy, experts have warned centres may have no option but to hike fees.
Mum accused of poisoning child seeks protective custody
The lawyer for a woman accused of giving her child unauthorised medication wants her to be in protective custody due to the publicity of the case.
‘Tragic reminder’: 16yo dies in Xmas alcohol poisoning
A coroner has found the death of a 16-year-old boy after consuming more than a dozen drinks surrounded by family at a Christmas lunch could have been prevented.
Christmas in jail for accused mum in fake cancer case
A court has refused bail for the parents of a young boy who are accused of raising $60,000 by faking the child's cancer diagnosis.
Thousands of families could benefit from free childcare
More than 60,000 families would access three days of free childcare while an access test branded punitive will be scrapped under a Labor policy.
‘Whatever it takes’: child removal floated to tackle DV
Child protection practices will be examined by a government in response to a landmark inquiry into the domestic violence deaths of four women.
Teen social media ban a step closer despite concerns
A social media ban is looming for Australians aged under 16 after the measure to force restrictions on many platforms cleared its first hurdle in parliament.
Social media ban ‘significant risk’ to child’s rights
A blanket social media ban for Australians under 16 has been criticised for limiting rights and not having enough privacy safeguards for all users.
Refugee mums start new chapter with mind, body and baby
Refugee mothers suffer pregnancy issues compared to Australian-born women but a specialist midwifery service is easing labour pains and giving peace of mind.
Inquest probes failings in violent dad and baby tragedy
Systemic failings allowed a violent, mentally ill man to gain access to his infant daughter and leap to their deaths from a dam wall, an inquest has been told.
Get off the internet: more dates, chats to go offline
It is not just governments considering social media bans: a study shows more Australians plan to disconnect and spend less time online.
Baby Shark won’t bite: YouTube entertainers issue plea
Prominent Australian children's entertainers are urging the federal government to pardon YouTube from its proposed social media ban to save an industry.
Truckie offers no leads on missing toddler’s location
A truckie has told a court about the cars he saw when William Tyrrell disappeared, but his evidence doesn't support a police theory about the child's body.
Foster mum would have ‘owned up’ to dumping 3yo’s body
William Tyrrell's foster mum told a friend that if she disposed of the three-year-old's body, she would have come forward and taken responsibility.
Abuse warning as missing toddler death theory examined
A coroner has issued a stern warning over the abuse of William Tyrrell's foster mum after a theory that she hid the boy's body was outlined to an inquest.
Childcare sector ‘sleepwalking’ into market domination
A pay increase will help bolster the childcare sector but there are warnings more must be done to address market concentration and keep costs low for families.
‘Needs his mother’: boy’s tragic act after mum’s murder
The young son of Ellie Price, whose boyfriend Ricardo Barbaro was found guilty of her murder, remains deeply traumatised by his loss.
Rolling the dice: kids aged 10 caught in gambling haze
One in three parents are worried about their teens gambling, with children aged under 10 among those treated for related health problems.
‘Ever present’: help for families after infant loss
An online program is helping rural families navigate their grief after stillbirth, with hopes expanded services will break down stigma surrounding infant loss.
Woman called ‘bad mum’ after chasing down child stealer
A woman whose vehicle was stolen with her baby inside was called a "bad mum" after chasing the child stealer who also accused her of neglect, a judge has heard.
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.
Acquittals leave mystery of missing teen mum unsolved
The fate of a teen mother who vanished decades ago will stay unsolved after a couple accused of her murder were acquitted.