Every Child campaign backs Mitchell report: prioritise children’s wellbeing

A spokesperson for the Every Child advocacy campaign has issued a response to the children’s rights report, released last week by outgoing National Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell, in which she called on all governments to place a greater focus on the mental health and wellbeing of Australia’s children. 

Co-Chair of Every Child, Dr Kirsty Nowlan, said the Every Child national alliance urges all governments to act on the recommendations made by Commissioner Mitchell. 

“Governments view physical infrastructure – the building of bridges, roads, rail and ports – as a top priority. We say infrastructure to support children must be a top nation building priority.” 

A national plan and Minister, she added, is “a start but still not enough”. 

“We need to turn the volume up on the wellbeing of children and young people in Australia and elevate their needs to a nation-building status.” 

The Every Child national alliance agreed with Ms Mitchell that the increase in neglect and abuse of children is a particularly worrying trend, as is the increase in children living in out of home care. 

“The report shows that Indigenous children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with a disability and LGBTI children – are particularly vulnerable. They experience higher levels of developmental challenges and poorer mental health relative to national averages,” Dr Nowlan said. 

To read more about the work of the alliance, please see here.