MEDIA RELEASE

New Inquiry into Raising Children in the ACT

The Standing Committee on Health and Community Wellbeing announced today that it will undertake an inquiry into raising children in the ACT.

The inquiry will examine supports and challenges for ACT residents who are hoping to have children, including the accessibility of fertility treatments, adoption; the cost of living; availability of paediatric specialists; environmental concerns; and access to family and community support.

Full terms of reference for the inquiry are available on the committee’s webpage: Inquiry into Raising Children in the ACT - ACT Legislative Assembly

The Chair of the Committee, Ms Jo Clay MLA, said the factors influencing whether people have children are complex and diverse.

‘The ACT has the lowest fertility rate in the country,’ Ms Clay said.

‘The committee has heard that in addition to fertility struggles, there are several social and economic factors affecting peoples’ decisions about having and raising children, including the increasing cost of living and availability of services.’

‘Through this inquiry, we hope to identify practical actions that will better support prospective parents and children.’

The Committee would like to hear from a range of stakeholders and is calling for submissions addressing any or all of its terms of reference to inform its inquiry. Submissions can be emailed to: LACommitteeHCW@parliament.act.gov.au.

More information about how to make a submission is available on the Assembly webpage.

Submissions close at 5:00 pm on Friday, 5 April 2024.

6 March 2024

STATEMENT ENDS.

Committee Chair, Ms Jo Clay MLA on (02) 6205 0131

Committee Secretary, Ms Katie Langham, on (02) 6207 5498 or at LACommitteeHCW@parliament.act.gov.au