More than half of kindergarten-aged children are falling behind on basic developmental measures, as the ACT produces some of the worst results in the country.
Independent MLA Tom Emerson is also calling for a cross-government approach to support Canberra's early learners. He is putting together an intergenerational wellbeing bill he hopes will be presented at the end of the year, based on work done in Wales.
"We see so much siloed government decision making ... if there are issues with a child's health, education, housing, situation, poverty, mental illness, these things cannot be in isolation," he said.
"Usually, one factor bleeds into the others."
Mr Emerson said the legislation aims to bring different departments together to prioritise people's wellbeing
Full article here: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9001412/act-2024-early-development-census-results-raise-concerns/