A desire to drive change in Australia’s response to children experiencing violence, abuse and neglect led Natasha Stott Despoja AO to accept the role of chair of the Advisory Board for the Australian Centre for Child Protection (ACCP) at Adelaide University.
She will lead a high-profile board guiding the strategic direction of the ACCP, Australia’s premier research centre for the prevention and response to child abuse and neglect.
“The costs of our child protection systems are staggering, not only to Australia’s economy, but to the babies, children and young people, and future generations caught in cycles of disadvantage,” Stott Despoja said.
“I share the Centre’s aspiration for a whole-of-government approach to child protection, more caring responses and earlier support.”
The ACCP has led the development of national mandatory child safety training for the early childhood sector, and recently created a more efficient model for intake and screening in Tasmania’s child safety services.
The Centre is supporting the implementation of South Australia’s new child safety laws, and is leading development of more effective responses to women experiencing violence, homelessness and other stresses during pregnancy across South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
ACCP Director Professor Leah Bromfield – who was awarded Australian of the Year for South Australia in 2025 – believes it’s time to raise ambition even higher, stop repeating past failures and re-imagine Australia’s approach to protecting children.
“The awful truth is that our system is not working – not for children, or their families, or the dedicated people who work within it,” Professor Bromfield said.
She said the new ACCP Board lineup will enhance the ACCP’s work in this and other areas.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Natasha Stott Despoja’s experience and status leading our Advisory Board, and are delighted to welcome other new members, including National Children’s Commissioner Deb Tsorbaris, and national Aboriginal leader and former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Advocate for Queensland, Natalie Lewis,” Professor Bromfield said.
“I welcome the opportunity to work under the strategic guidance of such esteemed Australian leaders and change makers, and the ambition and wisdom they will bring to the ACCP.”
The ACCP’s research has had significant impacts on Australian legislation, policy and practice guidance over the years, developing practical evidence-based solutions to support the safety and wellbeing of Australian children across a broad number of issues.
Read more on the ACCP website.
The new ACCP Advisory Board:
- Chair: Natasha Stott Despoja AO
- Deb Tsorbaris (National Children’s Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission)
- Natalie Lewis (former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Commissioner with Queensland Family and Child Commission)
- Craig Hughes-Cashmore (CEO, SAMSN Survivors & Mates Support Network)
- Sarah Gun (Board Director and CEO, GOGO Foundation and GOGO Events)
- Dan Mitchell (Executive Manager OOHC & Children Family Services, KWY Aboriginal Corporation)
- Emily Devine (Branch Manager, Children’s and Youth Policy, Australian Department of Social Services)
- Professor Leah Bromfield (ACCP Director and Chair of Child Protection, Adelaide University)
- Liz Hawkins (Chief Advancement Officer, International and External Engagement, Adelaide University)
- Sam Sellar (Dean Research, College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences, Adelaide University)
- Associate Professor James Herbert (ACCP staff representative)
- Kelly Winslade (ACCP PhD student representative)
Background: Natasha Stott Despoja
Since leaving politics, the former SA Senator and leader of the Australian Democrats has campaigned to prevent violence against women and children as founding Chair of Our Watch, and served as South Australia's Royal Commissioner into Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence. She is Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, and a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
Photo: Professor Leah Bromfield and Natasha Stott Despoja AO
Media contacts:
Professor Leah Bromfield, Director, Australian Centre for Child Protection and Chair of Child Protection. Mobile: +61 413 663 665. Email: childprotection@adelaide.edu.au
Lara Pacillo, Media Officer, Adelaide University. Mobile: +61 403 659 154. Email: lara.pacillo@adelaide.edu.au