The New South Wales child protection system remains overwhelmingly crisis driven. This report presents the findings of an economic case analysis and builds the evidence base for community advocacy and the case for investing in earlier, Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation led services to keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children safe, strong and together with their...

This paper seeks to explore the nature and structure of accountability that will serve the rights, interests and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, both within the child protection system, and more broadly. It presents two complementary accountability mechanisms for the New South Wales Government to address current shortcomings.

This report illustrates the substantial direct costs governments incur by failing to address the root causes of social and environmental issues. The report uses three examples – childhood poverty, preventable disease and chemical contamination – to illustrate the extent of avoidable spending, and make the fiscal case for tackling issues as early as possible.

This report examines the early home environment of Australian children who became young carers, to what extent caring activities limit young people’s cognitive and psycho-social outcomes, and what explains the gaps between the developmental outcomes of young carers compared to their peers. It finds that caring does impair academic achievement of these young people.

The long-term benefits of financial literacy have not been well quantified to date, limiting evidence-based decision-making for policymakers. This analysis focuses on identifying the wide array of benefits associated with enhancing financial literacy and illustratively evaluating select benefits of improved financial literacy. The report identifies several key economic and social benefits linked to stronger financial...