Australia’s attorneys general meet to nationalise working with children checks; Indigenous community rejects $150m payout

National working with children check system

Federal, state and territory attorneys general are meeting in Darwin on Friday to push forward with nationalising the working with children check (WWCC) system, prompted by serious allegations of safety breaches and child abuse in the childcare sector. However, a fully nationalised system is not expected until mid-2028, two years away.

The Coalition has recently criticised the government’s timeline, accusing it of delays. Federal Attorney General Michelle Rowland said the meeting aims to agree on a baseline of criminal offences that would automatically bar a person from holding a WWCC, and to discuss minimum standards for risk assessment processes.

Indigenous community rejects compensation

A legal battle over Indigenous land rights is set to return to court after native title holders rejected a court-ordered $150m compensation payout from Andrew Forrest’s company Fortescue, ordered by the Federal Court in May for mining without an agreement and destruction of cultural sites.

Yesterday, a meeting of Yindjibarndi native title body members voted unanimously to appeal the decision in order to seek more from the miner. Yindjibarndi Group chief executive Michael Woodley said the decision puts family and Country first, reflecting the strong connection between Yindjibarndi People and their land.

Dental care access barriers

A survey by the Australian Dental Association of 25,000 Australians found that three-quarters face barriers to accessing dental care, potentially forcing them to delay or avoid it. Cost was the biggest obstacle for young adults, followed by lack of free time and reduced support. The average cost of a dental check-up and clean last year was just below $240.