National Child Protection Week

Venning acknowledged the theme of shifting conversations to action and recognised the work of volunteers and frontline staff. Venning cited his visit to the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, highlighting low school attendance and arguing that child protection services treat Indigenous children differently. Venning stressed the need for prevention and adequate government investment in regional areas to address family violence and support vulnerable families.

Belyea described how children experiencing violence often exhibit behavioural changes rather than verbalising their distress. Belyea welcomed government frameworks including the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children and the Leaving Violence Program. Belyea argued that success should be measured by whether children feel safe and are believed when they speak out, rather than just by program establishment.

Wallace presented statistics on child protection system contacts and the rise in online child sexual exploitation reports. Wallace criticised the lack of increased funding for the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation despite rising case numbers. Wallace recognised several non-government organisations, including Bravehearts, Destiny Rescue, and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, urging continued parliamentary support for these groups.