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 primary interaction 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 hearings or site visits. The department may also interact with children through our support of special events, such as Parliament House open day, or staff social events.

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.

The annual risk assessment was completed in October 2024, and it determined that the overall child safety risk rating for the department is ‘low’. The assessment confirmed that the department has appropriate child safety measures, training and systems in place. The department has mitigations in place for any event that might include contact with children, and for making staff aware of their responsibilities including reporting.

The department implemented a Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy in July 2024, based on the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. This includes a reporting process. Requirements relating to the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy have also been incorporated into the department’s Accountable Authority Instructions. The department is also continuing to consider appropriate targeted training for staff whose work involves contact with children, and will implement any enhanced training on the Framework as developed by the National Office of Child Safety.

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, and will ensure new activities are reviewed for controls against risks to child safety.