National Child Protection Plan
On 25 May 2008, Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin MP, released the Govenment's discussion paper, Australia's children: safe and well – A national framework for protecting Australia's children. The paper has been published on the FaHCSIA website and can be viewed here 
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Public comment is now being invited through that website. Please encourage others in your respective networks to make submissions (closing date for comments on the discussion paper is 30 June).
In addition to seeking public views via its website, over the coming few months, FaHCSIA will convene several targeted consultations involving community sector representatives and academics. There will also be State/Territory and Commonwealth Government consultations/negotiations. Jenny Macklin has indicated that the Government wants the Framework to be finalised by the end of 2008.
Families Australia has been playing a significant role in facilitating the work of the Coalition of Organisations Committed to the Safety and Welbeing of Australia's Children. The Coalition, which comprises 51 of Australia's largest community sector organisations working in the field of children's wellbeing and protection, as well as key academics, has been working closely with Minister Macklin and her Department on the development of the national framework.