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.
parent and child
‘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.
Mother charged with murdering her two sons fronts court
A mother charged with murdering her two sons has fronted court for the first time on two domestic violence murder counts.
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.
‘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.
He’s still out there: mum’s plea over coffee attack
The mother of a badly burnt baby is pleading for help to identify a man she believes doused her son in hot coffee, saying she is having panic attacks.
Super on parental leave to reduce ‘motherhood penalty’
Parents will get an extra $3000 in their super balance while on government-funded paid parental leave under laws introduced to federal parliament.
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.
‘Torture’: mum’s horror at hot coffee thrown over baby
The mother of a baby burnt after a stranger poured hot coffee on the boy says she wishes she was the victim and keeps having flashbacks of the incident.
How a call helped an Aboriginal mum find connection
A Wiradjuri mother is sharing her experience with perinatal anxiety, as a national helpline reports increasing calls from Indigenous people.
‘Many times over’: childcare pay rise to reap dividends
A pay rise for childcare workers has been praised by the sector and unions but there are calls for more funding for the industry to retain staff.
Baby drought as house prices push parents out of cities
Australians are having less babies and the fertility plunge is being blamed on high housing costs with analysis showing parents are being pushed to the fringes.