GREETINGS TO THE AFA NATIONAL CONFERENCE

The Prime Minister, the Hon. John Howard

" I am delighted to send greetings to participants of the 2006 Australian Family Association's Biennial National Conference.

Families are fundamental to a strong, cohesive community and the Australian Family Association conference provides an opportunity for sharing research and expertise in key areas affecting families. This year's agenda includes some interesting topics, including in the areas of parenting, childhood development, drug issues and internet safety for children.

The Australian Government recognises that modern families are living in increasingly complex times and face a broad range of issues in raising happy and healthy children. The Government provides a range of support to help ensure families and individuals can achieve the best possible outcomes. For example, the government provides considerable assistance to give families choices around employment and child-rearing, including help for families who choose to have one partner at home to care for children.

In 2006-07, the government will spend $16.5 billion in Family Tax Benefit supporting around 2.2 million families, an increase of over $6 billion per year since 1996-97.

In addition, over $1 billion will be spent on Maternity Payment which provides $4,000 to all families on the birth of a child. Recently, the government announced an investment of over $116 million to create a National Filter Scheme to provide every Australian family with a free internet filter to crack down on the scourge of internet pornography.

I hope that everyone attending the conference over the next two days finds it an enjoyable and valuable experience."