The Parliamentary Association for UNICEF is comprised of federal members of parliament and senators who are committed to UNICEF’s mandate and advocate for the rights of children within parliament and in their respective electorates.
Why we have a Parliamentary Association
The Australian Parliamentary Association for UNICEF primarily supports four goals:
- support and promote the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), particularly for vulnerable children, both in Australia and internationally;
- promote in Parliament and the community the work of UNICEF for women and children; and
- encourage Australian government to give priority support to children and women in Australia’s international development program;
- create a safe non-partisan space for Parliamentarians to discuss child focussed policy.
What the Parliamentary Association does
The Australian Parliamentary Association for UNICEF was established in 1987. The Association continues to represent true bi-partisan support for children, supports the work of UNICEF, and brings together an unprecedented diversity of MPs and Senators with otherwise conflicting interests.
During the 45th Parliament members of the Association demonstrated their commitment to child rights and poverty alleviation by working together on behalf of children at home and overseas.
Members visited Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh to see firsthand the situation facing Rohingya children and UNICEF’s response, highlighting the experience of children in global emergencies in the media, social media and Parliament. Members also participated in briefings on humanitarian crises in our region, the Global Peace Index, minimum age of criminal responsibly and attended our annual World Polio Day event. Members demonstrated their support for children by delivering speeches to Parliament, and advocated for increased government funding on humanitarian response and Overseas Development Aid (ODA).
It is with this continued shared ambition for children that the Parliamentary Association for UNICEF continues to play an influential role for children in the Australian parliament.
"I am passionate to ensure the voices of children and young people, particularly those that are disadvantaged or vulnerable, are heard in parliament."