Children

The Australian Government has made a number of commitments regarding children and their families, including the development of an  Australian Early Development Index, a National Early Years Workforce Strategy and stronger National Child Care Quality Standards.

Australian Government Ministers

Three Australian Government Ministers have responsibility for the national early childhood sector:

• Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
• Maxine McKew, Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Development and Child Care
• Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services.

Council of Australian Governments (COAG)

COAG is the peak intergovernmental forum in Australia, comprising the Prime Minister, State Premiers, Territory Chief Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).

COAG has agreed actions regarding literacy and numeracy and early childhood and childcare as part of its long term National Reform Agenda.

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Young people

Australian Government Minister

Kate Ellis is the Australian Government Minister for Youth. Her portfolio responsibilities include youth affairs and overseeing the effects of Australian Government policies and programmes on young people.

Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs

The Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs  (MCEETYA) comprises State, Territory, Australian Government and New Zealand Ministers who have responsibility for the portfolios of education, employment, training and youth affairs. The Council is involved in a number of activities including the coordination of strategic policy at the national level, negotiation and development of national agreements on shared objectives and the sharing of information.

National Youth Affairs Research Scheme

The National Youth Affairs Research Scheme  (NYARS) is a co-operative funding program between the Australian, State and Territory Governments that facilitates nationally based research into issues affecting young people. NYARS operates under the auspices of the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA).

The most recent NYARS publications (available at www.facsia.gov.au) include:

• Barriers to Service Delivery for Young Pregnant Women and Mothers (2007) 
  The report shows that the barriers to service delivery for young pregnant women and mothers fall into three main categories:
  - Common barriers
  - Barriers specific to particular services
  - Barriers specific to vulnerable subgroups.
  
• Community Building Through Intergenerational Exchange Programs (2006)
  Report to the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme (NYARS). This report explores the concept of intergenerational exchange as a vehicle for community building, particularly in Australia. 'Radio Holiday' project, delivered by Big hART, is an example in Tasmania.

Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth

The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) encourages collaboration between researchers, policy makers and practitioners from a broad range of disciplines. The two primary goals of ARACY are to promote collaborative research and agenda setting for children and young people and to promote the application of research to policy and practice for children and young people.

See also: OCYA publications and Useful links.

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Resources

• Linkzone
• Youth Service Providers Database
• Children and Young People in Tasmania - Information
• Publications
• Useful links
• Grants