Families Australia, Sarah Witty MP, Senator Maria Kovacic and Kate Chaney MP re-launch the Federal Parliamentary Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster Care

On Tuesday 28 October 2025, Federal Members of Parliament and Senators from across the political spectrum were joined by over 60 foster carers and children with a care experience from across Australia for the official re-launch event in the Speaker’s Courtyard, Parliament House.

The Parliamentary Friends group reaffirms bipartisan support for the nearly 45,000 children and young people living in out-of-home care nationwide. The initiative aims to draw national attention to the growing pressures on foster carers and the urgent need for reform to strengthen the system and deliver better outcomes for children and young people.

Members of the National Foster Care Sustainability Group attended the event, and reiterated calls for federal support for three main policy changes across the sector to remove burdens and barriers to foster caring, so that every child in foster care can access the support they deserve. 

Sarah Witty MP, Member for Melbourne who is a foster carer and the co-convenor of the group said the Parliamentary Friendship Group plays a vital role in highlighting the challenges facing foster carers and the children they care for.

“I am proud to support the re-establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster Care. This is about shining a light on the real challenges families face, and committing to solutions that put children first,” said Ms Witty.

According to the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the number of children

entering care remains steady, but the number of new and active foster carers has declined by 21% since 2017.

“Without action, this decline will continue - leaving too many vulnerable children without

access to stable, home-based care,” she said.

​Kate Chaney MP welcomed the opportunity to bring to the forefront, the voices of vulnerable children, and the people who care for them.

“Foster carers are doing extraordinary work under enormous pressure. The Parliamentary

Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster Care is an opportunity for us to come together across party lines to push for practical, evidence-based reforms that support carers and deliver better outcomes for kids. This is not a partisan issue, it’s a human one.”

Senator Maria Kovacic said that keeping children safe is a responsibility we all share.

“The re-establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster

Care reflects a genuine bipartisan commitment to supporting those who open their homes and hearts to vulnerable children,” said Senator Kovacic.

Join the campaign! To get the latest information by email, sign up here.

Photo gallery