South Australia’s Minister for Child Protection, the Hon Katrine Hildyard MP, was invited to speak on behalf of all state and territory jurisdictions at the event, held at Parliament House.

The Department for Child Protection has worked closely with other jurisdictions, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group, SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children and the National Coalition for Child Safety and Wellbeing to develop the action plans, with Fiona Ward, Deputy Chief Executive, taking a leadership role at the national level.

There are two action plans, one general plan and one specific to Aboriginal children and families. The action plans implement Safe and Supported’s ambitious ten-year strategy to help children grow up safe and supported in their families, community and culture and to reduce the rates of child abuse and neglect across Australia.

The Safe and Supported: First National Action Plan 2023 – 2026 targets strategies towards priority groups, including children and families with multiple and complex needs, children in out of home care, children or parents/carers with disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families who experience disadvantage or who are vulnerable.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Action Plan 2023 – 2026 focuses on Aboriginal children and families, setting out important steps towards self-determination for First Nations peoples in supporting and protecting their children. It will also help drive national efforts to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out of home care.

For more information about the Safe and Supported strategy and the first action plans, please go to: Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031.

More information is also available on the Department for Child Protection's Safe and Supported page.