New push to discover what's driving Canberra's kids' high rate of developmental vulnerability

The Report on Government Services from the Productivity Commission does show that ACT has consistently had the highest attendance for children in child care, from 2015-2024 (see Figure 3.3a). In 2021, 59.2 per cent of 0-5 year olds in the ACT attended child care services, compared to 47.2 per cent nationally. The percentage of ACT children attending an ECEC centre (daycare) has increased steadily since 2009. Average hours each week is slightly higher than the national average, for centre based day care. Child care is more expensive in ACT than in any other state, but fewer primary contact staff have relevant formal qualifications or three plus years of relevant experience than any other state (Figure 3.5a). ACT also has the equal lowest percent of teachers delivering preschool programs, with at least university training and an early childhood qualification (Figure 3.5 b). About one-fifth of services in the ACT have not been approved for the National Quality Standard (NQS), but of those that have been approved about half are exceeding NQS (high compared to other states). The quality of services varies greatly in the ACT, they are not consistent. There are many more serious incidents in ACT, than in other states. The percent of ACT children classified as developmentally vulnerable after having some Early Childhood Education and Care has risen from 21% in 2015 to 26% in 2021, while the percent with no ECEC who are developmentally vulnerable has fallen from 49% in 2015 to 45% in 2021.

There is some evidence from psychological, sociological, and political science research suggesting that individuals with left-leaning political views (especially in Western countries) report higher rates of mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. Several surveys, particularly from the United States, have found higher self-reported rates of mental health issues among left-leaning individuals. Pew Research Center found in 2020 that progressive young adults (especially white women under 30) were significantly more likely to report mental health challenges than their conservative counterparts. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) also found similar trends in terms of self-reported psychological distress. American College Health Association surveys showed that college students who identified as progressive were more likely to report anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation than conservatives. A 2020 paper in the journal Sociological Science found that left-leaning political ideology is correlated with greater emotional distress, especially among young white progressives. A 2023 study in Political Psychology suggested that people with progressive ideologies may experience higher psychological strain, due to perceived societal injustice and systemic issues. Left-leaning individuals often prioritise social justice, inequality, and systemic problems. People who lean left are generally more open to discussing mental health, and are less likely to view it as stigmatised. Online activism and identity-based stress can also increase emotional vulnerability.

Too many weak, woke parents.

It would be interesting to know what conditions place a child in the category “developmentally vulnerable”. Having that knowledge may assuage some of the concerns expressed in these comments that these conditions arise from particular parental ideologies.

Canberra is characterised as the most ideologically motivated region in our country, heavily focused on advancing specific agendas. It’s any wonder children in this environment face significant challenges. A glance at many parents reveals that they endure and openly (and proudly) acknowledge serious mental health issues within themselves. There is an excessive emphasis on adult diagnoses of ADD/ADHD, when it is more plausible that these individuals simply prefer not to engage in work, recognising a government that readily caters to such irrational demands. This mindset is then transferred to their children, resulting in a decline in their mental well-being. Schools in the ACT promote the most extensive woke ideology curriculum across Australia, including private schools, which discourages independent thinking among students. Furthermore, the government appears to favour those with mental health challenges over diligent workers, raising concerns about the increasing vulnerability of children. It may be necessary to address Canberra in a manner akin to how Springfield was treated in The Simpsons; a protective barrier should be established to shield the rest of the nation from the extremities of Canberra. If geographically feasible, it would be in the best interest of all Australians to isolate Canberra and send it out to sea.

Remove the cottonwool from a child’s up bringing, encourage independence. Instead they are indoctrinated with woke nonsense. Australia has raised a flock of sheep, not lions.