Treasury has a zero tolerance approach to child exploitation or abuse, and we are committed to promoting and maintaining a culture that provides a safe environment for children.
We recognise that all adults share the responsibility of preventing exploitation and abuse. This is why Treasury requires the commitment, support and cooperation of all individuals who help deliver our services. As a Commonwealth government agency, Treasury is committed to, and compliant with, the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework.
As part of our commitment, Treasury:
- undertakes an annual risk assessment to evaluate the risk of harm to children and young people, and puts in place strategies to manage those risks,
- provides training for staff who are performing roles that have interaction with children to ensure staff are aware of, and comply with, our child safety requirements, and
- adopted and implemented the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Treasury's purpose is to provide advice to the Government and implement policies and programs to achieve strong and sustainable economic and fiscal outcomes for Australians. Treasury’s contact with children primarily occurs through work experience or potential employment pathway programs. Interaction with children also occurred through a third party who was contracted to conduct a financial literacy survey which included children aged 14 to 17.
Staff understand the important and specific role they play in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children and young people taking part in programs provided by Treasury. Our Working with Vulnerable People Policy outlines how all Treasury employees have legal obligations to always act ethically and responsibly towards children and young people, including a legal obligation to report any real or suspected instances of grooming or abuse of a minor to police as soon as practicable.
Annual Risk assessment
Treasury has undertaken risk assessments of our operations. Control measures are in place to ensure the Treasury both operationalises our commitment to the safety and protection of children and young people and meets our obligations under the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework.
Treasury’s overarching residual risk rating is low.