Appendix 3 | Applying the CRIA tool to COVID-19 pandemic policy and legislation relating to the closure of schools and early childhood education and care in Australia As this assessment is taking place within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, research is still emerging on the long-term impacts on children as a result of remote learning. Governments will need to remain vigilant to monitor impacts and act accordingly to mitigate long-term challenges. This will take place through the National Framework for Managing COVID-19 in Schools and Early Childhood Education and Care. Predominantly, the assessment shows that the best interests of the child were protected. Although children’s rights to health and education were restricted in some ways, mechanisms and safeguards were introduced to overcome negative outcomes. The policy and legislation introduced across all Australian jurisdictions overall protected children and their family’s/communities’ health and right to life, survival which was necessary due to the emergency nature of the pandemic. Question 15: Are there any further changes that need to be made to the policy/legislation to ensure children’s rights are not negatively impacted? To ensure children���s needs are prioritised in future policy and legislation planning, consideration should be given to the following: 86 | • Decision-makers should work in collaboration with children’s organisations, advocates and representatives who understand and can champion children’s rights and their needs. • Regular opportunities should be provided for children to give their views in relation to policy and legislation that affects them. • Significant and long-term investment in recovery from the pandemic needs to address longterm negative impacts on children as a result of school closures. • Existing plans for working with and responding appropriately to the needs of children during a pandemic should be reviewed regularly and updated.