MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 9 May 2025
“The Only Australians Without a Voice in Cabinet? Our Kids.”
A new national Act for Children alliance says it’s time to fix that.
As the Prime Minister shapes the nation’s next Cabinet, the alliance has a simple question:
Who is making sure that the rights and wellbeing of our children is a national priority?
Today, a broad alliance of organisations from across the child health, education, legal and social service sectors has called on the PM to appoint a Cabinet Minister for Children — a dedicated leader to represent the rights and wellbeing of millions of children.
The call follows the Prime Minister’s re-election commitment to “a country where no one is held back or left behind.” The alliance says that promise must begin with those who can’t yet vote but will live longest with the consequences of today’s decisions.
Decades of evidence shows the economic and social value of investing to give children the best start in life, but currently our systems lack co-ordination and are ineffective in addressing the unmet needs of children in the most vulnerable circumstances.
A Cabinet Minister for Children would:
- Represent children’s rights and wellbeing across all portfolios
- Lead a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to improve child outcomes
- Bridge federal and state efforts to better serve Australia’s youngest citizens
A Cabinet Minister for Children would help build a stronger, fairer, and more resilient Australia by putting the wellbeing of children at the heart of national leadership.
The letter has been signed by 47 national and community organisations as part of the growing Act for Children alliance.
Available for Interview:
Prue Warrilow, CEO of ARACY
Anne Hollonds, National Children’s Commissioner
For interviews and other media enquiries, please contact Adam Valvasori, adam.valvasori@aracy.org.au
For more information about the Act for Children campaign visit www.actforchildren.net
