Opening Speech at the AMA Summit on Child Abuse - AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson - 'Working Together', Canberra

Good morning everyone.

Well, thank you to the Bundah Booris, these wonderful dancers from Narrabundah Primary School, with whom the AMA has special links.

This morning I'd like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, the traditional owners of the land on which Canberra is built.

And I want to welcome you all to this summit today, a summit I wish we did not have to have.

Australia should be a great place to bring up kids.

We've got lots of space, a growing economy and a stable political system.

Our education system is world class.

Our health system is world class.

Yet our children are suffering.

Every year, the rate of substantiated child abuse cases in all states and territories is rising.

The burden, in terms of human and financial costs, cannot be overestimated.

Child abuse has an immediate and traumatic impact on the victim.

But the long-term consequences are also significant.

As a community, we need to work with survivors of abuse.

And we need to work on preventing abuse.

I am encouraged to welcome so many experts from so many disciplines here today.

It's testament to the gravity of this issue. 

The AMA endorses the World Medical Association Statement on Child Abuse and Neglect, which states that:

'the right of children to be free of abuse and neglect takes priority over any rights of adults'.

The AMA recognises that the effective prevention and management of child abuse and neglect calls for cooperation among medical practitioners in different disciplines and between medical practitioners and experts in other professions

Working together is the theme of this summit.

The medical profession is just one of the many professional disciplines that must work together to help children and their families develop and enjoy healthy life.

And I use the term 'healthy' very broadly.

When we talk about health we include social, cultural and emotional health - as well as physical well-being.

There has been criticism in the past that the medical profession has been too narrow in its outlook about social issues.

That many doctors have only been interested in the medical model of health, focusing on the biological determinants of disease.

That doctors have ignored the vital social and cultural issues that can influence our health and wellbeing.

This Summit is an example of the way the medical profession can work on an even par with other health professionals for the benefit of families, children and so for the wider community.

I am very proud that the AMA is able to be part of this cooperation.

Working together also seeks a national approach to crucial issues.

Child protection and recovery transcends state and territory boundaries.

It's very encouraging to welcome state, territory and federal representatives and so many representatives from non government organisations here today because of this common goal.

I know many states and territories have been reviewing their child protection policies and have instituted systems for reform.

This Summit provides a great opportunity to share our concerns, our knowledge and our experiences of this serious threat to the health of many Australians.

Thank you all for making the effort to be here today.

Special thanks go to our speakers, Professor Graham Vimpani, Dr Louise Newman, Associate Professor Dorothy Scott, Muriel Cadd, Sandie de Wolf and Dr Terry Donald.

We look forward to your insight and your wisdom.

I welcome this opportunity to work across professional, geographic and political boundaries as we work together towards a national policy for child protection and recovery.

I commend this Summit to you all.

Ends