The Department of the House of Representatives is committed to promoting a culture that does not permit or tolerate child harm or abuse and protects children by creating and maintaining behaviours and practices that are safe for children.

The nature of our work means there is limited and typically infrequent interaction with children. The department’s main involvement with children is through the annual My First Speech competition. From time to time, the department may also have contact with children through our work providing secretariat support to parliamentary committees. For example, committee inquiries may involve interaction with children during evidence gathering activities, including hearings or site visits. The department may also interact with children through our support of special events, such as Parliament House open day.

We are compliant with the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework, the core requirements of which are: (i) undertake annual risk assessments, (ii) establish a system of training and compliance, (iii) adopt the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, and (iv) publish an annual statement of compliance.

In 2023, the department undertook a risk assessment which determined that the overall child safety risk rating for the department is ‘low’.

The department understands that managing child safety risks is an ongoing process and will continue to regularly analyse and review the measures we have in place to mitigate risks.