National Children's Week marks an important opportunity for the Albanese Labor Government to reiterate its commitment to a brighter future for Australia's children.
This year, National Children's Week's theme is based on UNCRC Article 24: Children have the right to a clean and safe environment, a concept that underscores multiple policies, programs, and initiatives delivered by the Government.
National Children's Week builds on the Government's work and investments to ensure all children can grow up safe and supported, and have the opportunity to thrive.
"At the heart of our policies and commitments are the lives of children across Australia. This week is a time to reflect on what we are doing to ensure our children, wherever they live, are able to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to their age and to participate freely in their community," Minister Rishworth said.
"Our Government is committed to providing $12.4 million of funding over four years to improve the development and wellbeing of children, provide social and parenting support for parents and carer, and increase feelings of belonging and connection in families with their communities.
"This funding is already making a positive difference for children and their families with increased numbers of playgroups operating, some within regional and remote areas, and others for specific priority groups such as culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
"Additionally in February this year, the Government committed a further $150,000 to Toy Libraries Australia to establish 10 new toy libraries in areas of growth or disadvantage, and to support up to 50 toy libraries to purchase evidence-based resources and toys for families and children with additional support needs."
Minister Rishworth said playgroups and toy libraries were a "key entry point" to early childhood education for vulnerable families, improving the early development and wellbeing of children, improving parent-child relationships and increasing feelings of belonging and connection in families with their communities.
Along with delivering playgroups and toy libraries - including an investment in a pilot for First Nations playgroups - the Government is continuing to deliver a variety of policy frameworks to ensure children are offered the best childhood possible.
The Early Years Strategy 2024-2034, released in May, outlines the Government's vision to best support Australia's children and their families in the early years.
This is underscored by the national leadership provided under Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2021-2031, which aims to reduce child abuse and neglect and its intergenerational impacts.
"Frameworks like the Early Years Strategy and Safe and Supported are essential to ensure the Government is providing national leadership that draws on the direct needs of children. It is an informed approach with a long-term vision to build a better future for Australia's children," Minister Rishworth said.
"Through our work on these frameworks, we have made sure to listen to the voice of the child, leading to the announcement of the legislated, independent and empowered National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People.
"This year has been a big year for children and family policy, and we hope to continue to deliver on our new, integrated, holistic, whole-of-Commonwealth approach to the early years."
CEO of Toy Libraries Australia Debbie Williams highlighted that the Government's investment in Toy Libraries has supported 6000 more families to join a local Toy Library, saving them $1.75m this year alone.
"Many thousands of families will enjoy borrowing from these new toy libraries for decades to come," Ms Williams said.
"Toy libraries not only build strong families and communities through play, they also introduce environmental sustainability principles to young children and save millions of toys from going into waste each year."
Ms Williams emphasised that with cost of living pressures really impacting families with young children, an increasing number of families are joining toy libraries to support their children's learning while saving money.
"Five of the new toy libraries supported by the Australian Government are Toy Well Toy Libraries. These free toy libraries are located in schools with high migrant and refugee populations and run by local migrant women, creating new friendships and connections for the families," she said.
National Children's Week runs until 27 October.
