Securing the future for Tasmanian children and young people

26 August 2021

Sarah Courtney MP

Minister for Children and Youth

The Tasmanian Liberal Government recognises that there is nothing more important than the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, which is why we have taken strong action to improve their safety and wellbeing.

The 2021-22 Tasmanian Budget includes funding which enables the Government to continue to enhance our response to the needs of children and young people, particularly those who are most vulnerable or at risk.

Delivering on our election commitment, we will provide $5 million over four years to support new stable permanent family placements for children in out-of-home care, where children and young people can belong and thrive.

We will also invest $2.25 million over four years to extend supports for Informal Kinship Carers who play a crucial role in the lives of Tasmanian children who are unable to live with their parents.

The Budget includes $2 million for the ‘Sure Start’ initiative over four years which provides those in out-of-home care with priority access to government services, supports and concessions.

In readiness to respond to the Expert Panel’s recommendations following our review of the Many Colours One Direction program in the Northern Territory, the Government has set aside $500,000 of seed funding to progress the development of a Tasmanian based on-country program.

We are also significantly enhancing our response to young people at risk of homelessness through:

• $10 million for a four year ‘Under 16 Lighthouse Pilot Project’ to assist young people under 16 who are unable to live at home;
• $5.2 million to supply new modular transitional housing for young people, including young people leaving AYDC, out-of-home care or youth shelters and a ‘Dispersed Youth Foyer’ initiative to assist young people to share Housing Tasmania properties.

We are continuing to provide funding under the Strong Families Safe Kids program for Aboriginal Liaison Officers to continue their work in Aboriginal community sector organisations. Funding will also be provided to enable the organisations to increase their capacity to deliver Aboriginal Liaison services more equitably state-wide.

We are investing over $100 million across the next four years to deliver Tasmania's first ever comprehensive, long-term, whole of government Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy, with a particular focus on the first 1000 days of life.

Our Action Plan includes 65 initiatives to deliver the Strategy along with timelines for implementation, a clear governance framework, and reporting and measuring outcomes.

To secure Tasmania’s future, the Government will continue to support Tasmanian children and young people to ensure their safety and wellbeing.