I welcome the report of the Senate Education and Employment References Committee’s inquiry into the national trend of school refusal, chaired by Liberal Senator for Western Australia, Matt O’Sullivan.
The report highlights the need for an agreed definition of school refusal and comprehensive data collection, both of which are imperative to developing new policies and programs.
The report recommends that more research is required to inform evidence-based initiatives which better support students, their families and educators.
I thank the many families who shared with the committee their personal stories of the social, emotional and mental health impacts of school refusal.
It is imperative that these students have all the support they need to ensure their education journey can still be successful.
I call on the Albanese Government to accept all of the recommendations in the report, particularly the provision of more subsidised mental health care visits.