Human Rights Council - 28th Regular Session
Annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child - towards better investment in the rights of the child
Australian statement
12 March 2015
Australia welcomes the opportunity to participate in today’s discussion on the investment in the rights of the child.
Investing in children is crucial for the full and comprehensive realisation of the rights of the child. Australia recognises that it is through the provision of services to children -including health, education and protection from violence, neglect, exploitation and abuse - that the rights of the child can be realised.
Australia strongly supports transparent, participatory and accountable governance and fiscal processes and acknowledges the critical role this plays in protecting the rights of the child.
Australia recognises the importance of investing in the rights of the child and in 2013 appointed Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner. Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner focuses solely on the rights and interests of children, and the laws, policies and programs that impact them.
Investing in early childhood is the most opportune time to break the cycle of poverty, or prevent it from beginning.
The Australian Government has allocated more than $2 billion since 2008 to increase access to quality preschool education. Providing access to an affordable, quality early childhood education program for vulnerable and disadvantaged children, and children living in remote indigenous communities, continues to be a focus for access.
Australia recognises that there are challenges to investment in the rights of the child but we believe investing in children is investing in our shared common future.