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Child safety

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Apple chief executive Tim Cook at the annual World Wide Developers Conference.

Apple credits Australia’s teen social media ban for its new controls

Apple chief executive Tim Cook told Anthony Albanese the iPhone maker’s new child-safety tools were “in part inspired” by the world-first social media ban.

  • David Swan

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Opposition leader Steven Miles addressed hundreds gathered in Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens on Tuesday to support abortion rights and protest a Katter’s Australian Party attempt to force abortion debate in parliament.

What two inquiries and forced debate reveal about LNP and Labor’s lull

More than 18-months into government, the LNP is yet to fully shed its opposition-era attack footing. But Labor is also still struggling to find its feet as one.

  • Matt Dennien
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has expressed reservations about the social media ban for under-16s pushed by Minister for Communications Anika Wells.

‘Very blunt approach’: eSafety commissioner questions social media ban

Outspoken comments by the bureaucrat in charge of implementing the federal government’s ban have stirred up opposition to the scheme.

  • Jacqueline Maley and David Swan
Police Minister Dan Purdie.

Queensland parliament as it happened: Child safety report, e-bike laws in focus

In the third and final day of this week’s parliament sitting, controversial e-mobility laws are set to pass.

  • Matt Dennien
Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow, president of Jigsaw Queensland, said the inquiry heard of adoption “largely as a policy mechanism rather than as a lived experience that continues across an entire lifespan”.

Adoption fix for child safety needs ‘robust safeguards’, service says

Queensland’s major forced adoption service provider has warned the government it must consider lifelong consequences as it forms its response to a major inquiry.

  • Matt Dennien
A new inquiry shows children are being left behind by the child protection system.

35 children deemed not at significant risk by protective services before their deaths

Of the almost three dozen children who died between 2019 and 2025, all had been flagged with child protection services several times, a new landmark report has found.

  • Nicole Precel and Kieran Rooney
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The federal government will fund a new free digital mental health support service.

‘Measure of failure’: $20m inquiry slams Queensland child safety crisis

The probe’s almost 1400-page report has called for sweeping overhauls, including controversial changes to adoption practices and out-of-home care.

  • Matt Dennien
Julie Inman Grant at lunch.

‘I was not really keen on it’: eSafety commissioner tells us what she really thinks of the social media ban

Julie Inman Grant talks about death threats, the dark corners of the internet and making an enemy of the richest man in the world, Elon Musk.

  • Jacqueline Maley
Generic Police and Sherriff photographs. Photo by Jason South. 19th March 2025. Victoria Police 

Location of child sex offender on Daniel’s Law register not known

A known Queensland child sex offender is missing in the community, after police discovered he had not made required reports about his whereabouts and contact with children.

  • Catherine Strohfeldt

The cost of keeping kids safe has doubled. Experts say there’s a fix

New research shows Australia’s child protection system may become financially untenable, as children face poor outcomes and costs soar.

  • Nicole Precel