Child Protection

Ms THOMPSON (Davenport) (14:54): My question is to the Minister for Child Protection. How is the government recognising the achievements of those involved across the child protection and family support system?

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD (Reynell—Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:54): Thank you very much to the member for her question and for her deep commitment to and recognition of everybody who supports and empowers children and young people engaged with the child protection and family support system.

Recognising the achievements of those who work, volunteer or provide care and support to children and young people across the child protection and family support system is really important. It sends a clear message to children and young people; families, including carer families; workers and volunteers that they are valued, loved and supported. That is why I was so pleased to join over 500 guests at the child protection and family support awards on Friday.

The breadth and diversity of individuals and groups represented, who work so hard together to support and empower children and young people, was inspiring. Each of those present at the awards, and many others, make a choice over and over again to spend their time, energy and passion doing the hard work focused on making a difference in the lives of children and young people.

The collective strength, wisdom and focus of everybody who works for, cares in and is part of the child protection and family support system is absolutely needed to tackle the deeply complex challenges facing families and to drive change that transforms our system to empower children and young people to live safe, healthy and successful lives.

This year's awards highlighted many stories that rightly deserve to be told. I have spoken before about foster carers Gary and Margie, who have cared for over 300 children and young people over a 30-year span. I am really pleased to share that Gary and Margie were named 2024 Foster Carers of the Year in recognition of the dedication, love and support that they have offered to the children they have cared for over those three decades.

I am also really pleased to advise that the Kinship Carer of the Year award was presented to the Mildwaters family, Dale and Keshia, who are outstanding kinship carers for their two nieces and nephew. They said at the awards that they are kinship carers because they are family and could not imagine the children being anywhere else except with them. Keshia and Dale worked so hard to ensure the children could stay together with their siblings, and it was really moving to hear the difference that that has made to them. Thank you very much to Keshia and Dale.

I also highlight the Outstanding Achievement of a Child or Young Person award, which celebrates someone with a care experience. This year's winner is an outstanding young woman named Jacinta. As well as having her own care experience, Jacinta is also a kinship carer for her young niece. Jacinta said at the awards that once she is done with her studies she wants to work in residential care, where she spent part of her life growing up, because it is important to her to look after the next generation.

It is stories like these that should absolutely be highlighted and celebrated. They are at the very heart of the child protection and family support system. They are what makes a difference. I again congratulate and wholeheartedly thank all who were rightly nominated for Friday's awards.