Ms SHORT (9:46 AM) —Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As a former dental therapist, I worked with children in the school dental service for 10 years. Through the close clinical contact that I have had with schoolchildren, I am aware that many health professionals and teachers possess special information about them. Mandating people in specific occupations to report suspected abuse will lead to increased help for children who may otherwise suffer serious harm.

However, mandatory reporting has been the subject of vigorous debate throughout the world. Each state and territory of Australia has interpreted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child differently. For example, in Queensland, section 159 of the Children and Young People Act 1999, No. 63 of 1999, contains a comprehensive list of persons—including doctors, dentists, nurses, teachers, police officers, counsellors, child-care workers, family day carers, public servants, community advocates, official visitors and prescribed persons—who must, as soon as practicable, report to the chief executive the name or a description of the child or young person and the grounds for the person's suspicion.

In Western Australia, referrals about possible harm to children are facilitated by a series of reciprocal protocols that have been negotiated with key government and non-government agencies rather than mandatory reporting. But, in the ACT under section 103(1) of the ACT Children's Services Act 1986, any person who suspects on reasonable grounds that a child has suffered physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect may notify ACT Family Services.

In my opinion, there needs to be a more coherent national approach to mandatory reporting. However, it is only one part of a greater strategy to prevent child abuse. Responsibility for keeping children safe from harm and providing for their long-term wellbeing falls on all adults, both as family members and as members of the community.