The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare and St Luke’s (a division of Anglicare) will today launch the 2014 Election Statement in Bendigo, during which the growing need to talk about the disadvantage many Bendigo children and families face will be highlighted.

Current data shows:

* The number of children from Greater Bendigo placed in out of home care increased by more than 35 per cent between 2008 and 2011;

* The number of children at school entry in Bendigo whose parents reported high levels of family stress in the previous month rose by 46 per cent between 2009 and 2013;

* 24 per cent of Bendigo children live in low-income families, which is 4 per cent above the state average, and

* Victoria funds child and family welfare at 79 per cent of the national average, making Victorian children and family welfare supports the second lowest funded in the country.

Anglicare Victoria chief executive Paul McDonald said one third of Bendigo’s population were children and young people under the age of 25, and the likelihood of disadvantage was higher than in Melbourne.

“It’s time to take child and family welfare out of the ‘too hard basket,'' he said.

“We also know that incidences of family violence is higher in the region, with data showing that children of rural Victoria have a history of witnessing violence at 4.6 per cent compared with metropolitan children at 2.7 per cent.

“These statistics tell a story about the importance of properly investing in the family and child welfare needs in Bendigo and across Victoria’s regional areas.''

CFECFW chief executive Deb Tsorbaris said that during the past four years the number of child neglect cases was consistently rising across the state.

“Since 2011 there has been a 47 per cent rise in substantiated cases of significant harm involving babies and infants under one year old, and just in the last year a 14 per cent rise in the number of children found to be at significant risk of harm,'' she said.

“These figures aren’t easy to talk about, but we can’t keep ignoring the need for our state government to invest properly in the services that protect our kids and help our families.

“Victoria is a generous community. When a distressed child needs help we will always put out a helping hand. We don’t have a long debate or check the bank balance.

“Over the last 40 years we have effectively combatted most childhood illnesses. Our children are healthier but are they safer?

“We need a more ambitious vision from our politicians. Children in care should be no worse off educationally or socially than any other Victorian child, and more must be done to achieve this.

“Simple practical measures like employment initiatives that give young people in care work opportunities before they leave care and setting clear targets for young people in care achieving similar education outcomes to their peers at each year level. Government has the levers to make this happen – with the right will and vision so much more could be done.

“This election the future of Victoria’s children and young people is under the spotlight. Not only do we need to address their education and work opportunities, but we must also work towards Victoria having the best services to keep our kids healthy and safe.

“Our Election Statement is a blue print for the incoming state government on the best ways of tackling disadvantage in Victoria.

“Much more can, and needs, to be done. We know that acting early when families hit tough times works.

“With the right sense of urgency, the incoming state government can give every child a happy start to life. Investing early and properly into our great services will make a real difference.

“We’re launching our document today because tackling the causes of childhood abuse and neglect is sound policy. Providing services and supports early saves money in the long term. For instance for every $1 invested in  the Stronger Families support program the government makes savings of $1.23 in child protection and out of home care.

“We’re calling on the incoming state government to do the long term sums and realise the value of investing now, and investing well.''