Children recorded as ‘missing’ from their out-of-home care placement are some of the most vulnerable in society. While their whereabouts are often unknown to their carers and caseworkers continue to interact with other public services, including hospitals, schools, police, homelessness services and justice systems. Linked administrative data can connect information across government agencies, revealing where children reappear and where opportunities exist for earlier and more coordinated intervention and support.

Australia’s transition to Net Zero requires credible and durable policy frameworks for investment in critical infrastructure. The Safeguard Mechanism, which reduces regulatory uncertainty and signals progressively tightening emissions baselines, can help encourage investment in industrial decarbonisation. Its effectiveness, however, depends on addressing offset integrity, electricity affordability and commercial readiness of low-emissions technologies.

Falls are one of the largest and most preventable drivers of hospitalisation, disability and loss of independence among older Australians. Despite decades of evidence demonstrating what works, Australia still lacks a coordinated strategy to prevent falls. As the population ages, the cost of inaction will continue to grow. NSW has an opportunity to take the lead and move from isolated programs to a coordinated approach to falls prevention.

With new national standards for Artificial Intelligence now on the horizon following the Australian Prime Minister’s recent announcement, there is an urgent need to reform education systems to prepare students for an AI-driven future by fostering resilience, creativity, empathy and lifelong learning. Through cross-sector collaboration and adoption of the Castlereagh Statement, Australia can realign educational priorities with the demands of an AI-influenced society.