MEDIA RELEASE

What would make the federal budget fair for children in Australia?

SYDNEY, Thursday 3 May 2018: In this year’s federal budget, UNICEF Australia wants to see the
Australian government make concrete financial investments that ensure children in this country, particularly
those most disadvantaged, grow up with fair life chances. The government should also take tangible steps
to include children and young people in the development of national policies and initiatives that affect them.

“We understand that at first glance, the average person might be surprised to hear children and the federal
budget in the same sentence,” said Director of Policy and Advocacy, Amy Lamoin. “But when you tease it
out, the reality is that many budgetary and political decisions have significant impacts on children and
young people – and if they don’t, they should. As news headlines in our country continue to show, we need
to be vigilant in supporting and protecting children and young people in Australia.”

UNICEF Australia says there are five commitments the government should make through this year’s federal
budget that will significantly assist in delivering a fair chance for children and young people nationwide. The
government should:
1. articulate it’s investment for children by delivering a national Children’s Budget Statement
2. allocate funding to support a national representative body for young Australians
3. fund six key commitments that will form a comprehensive plan to end violence against children
4. fund measurement, tracking and reduction strategies on poverty to drive a national program to
end child poverty in Australia
5. lead in international development by restoring Australia’s contribution to foreign aid and
investing in children in our region.

“The bottom line is we need budget decisions that mean decision-makers are not guessing what is
important for children, or guessing where we need to be spending our money to invest in our children and
young people so that they have a fair chance at leading healthy and productive lives,” Ms Lamoin said.

With close to five million children in Australia, she said we should have a very clear picture of how the
federal budget impacts on them and their families. This means providing a transparent Children’s Budget
Statement that examines, assesses and evaluates the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of programs,
ministries and agencies that allocate resources to welfare, health and education programs.

Ms Lamoin said a funded youth peak body would represent young Australians to government and
represent their best interests; provide quality, youth informed policy advice; and support policy and
decision-makers to consult and engage with young people. An estimated budget contribution of $600,000
would cover operating costs and four staff members.

She said abuse of young people and children, including physical and sexual abuse and bullying continued
to be prevalent in Australia. The six commitments to end violence against children would address:
reforming laws, (particularly in relation to the recommendations of two recent Royal Commissions);
management of public hotspots for violence; responsiveness of our social welfare and protection systems;
ensuring out therapeutic responses and support services are child-centred, and; ensuring our investments
in children’s education and violence prevention programs are successful and effective.

Ms Lamoin said Australia’s approach to ending poverty among children and young people needs to be
strategic if it is to be sustainable and effective. This means measuring and tracking the number of children
facing the multi-dimensional aspects of child poverty, setting targets and identifying special measures.

Australia’s foreign aid contribution should be restored to previous levels of $5.5 billion within the current
Parliamentary term in recognition that foreign aid helps our child neighbours grow up healthy and educated.

UNICEF Australia’s full 2018 Federal Budget platform and recommendations are available online at
https://www.unicef.org.au/our-work/unicef-in-australia/policy/federal-budget-2018
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About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for
everyone.

For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org.au/

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For more information, please contact:

Brinsley Marlay, UNICEF Australia, 0403 604 182, bmarlay@unicef.org.au