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| Concern over wellbeing of Australian children
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80 per cent of Australians are concerned about the health and happiness of future generations of Australian children with childhood obesity and mental health of particular concern according to a new survey.
The survey of 1002 people is part of the Valuing Children initiative and was commissioned to gain an understanding of attitudes towards children in Australia.
Convenor of the Valuing Children Initiative Linda Said a range of concerns relating to the health and wellbeing of children were highlighted in the survey findings.
"In Australia today approximately one in four children are overweight, or obese, and as a result for the first time children in affluent countries like Australia, are predicted to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
"In 2013-2014 almost one in seven, 4-17 year olds were assessed as having mental disorders in the previous 12 months," she said.
The survey also showed that less than one in five people surveyed believe that Australia is a safer place today than when they grew up.
With two royal commissions currently examining the abuse and mistreatment of children, Ms Savage said this result was probably not surprising.
The survey also found that less than half of those surveyed believe that all children in Australia have a fair and equal opportunity to flourish and to maximise their potential and nearly 50 per cent of survey respondents believe governments give too little consideration to children.
The Valuing Children Initiative is advocating for the creation of a Ministerial portfolio for Children and Future generations to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of children and to give children' rights and needs greater priority.
The Valuing Children Initiative has also urged the instigation of a rigorous and transparent process to ensure that all policy, legislative and decision making processes actively considers the impact on children and future generations and says this process should include the views of children whenever possible.
"This would ensure that children, who cannot vote and are excluded from influencing the political process, have their interests explicitly considered.
Considering the impact on children and future generations should be integral to sound decision making," said Ms Savage.
Read the survey report here.
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