The Allan Labor Government is introducing legislation into Parliament today to keep children safe.
Premier Jacinta Allan today joined Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny and Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn to introduce new laws to immediately suspend Working with Children Checks (WWCC) while they are under re-assessment.
Members of Parliament won't be leaving Parliament this week until the Bill is passed.
Key changes to the system with this Bill include:
- Ensuring that anyone banned from child-related work interstate will be banned in Victoria
- Requiring a WWCC clearance to be immediately suspended while it is under re-assessment for intended revocation, with no exceptions
- Allowing a WWCC clearance to be cancelled if it was obtained using false or misleading information, or if the individual is prohibited from applying for a clearance - this will protect children from those who try to deceive the system
- Extending the time limits for laying charges where false information has been provided to obtain a WWCC clearance from 12 months, to 5 years and 6 months.
These new laws will come into effect as soon as this Bill is passed by the Parliament and receives Royal Assent.
Work is also underway on significant reforms to be introduced to Parliament in October. These will address the remaining recommendations of the independent Rapid Child Safety Review, including:
- Establishing a new, nation-leading regulator that will more than double the frequency of compliance checks
- Beefing up the Social Services Regulator by bringing the WWCC scheme, the Reportable Conduct Scheme and Child Safe Standards under the one roof by the end of the year - giving it new powers, removing silos and weeding out predators from working with children, those with disability and in out of home care
- Introducing mandatory child safety training and expanding professional support programs, including through changes to the National Law, to build a culture of speaking up.
This immediate action is part of the overhaul of child safety in early childhood education and care settings, which includes a $42 million boost to the sector and accepting and implementing all 22 recommendations of the independent Rapid Child Safety Review.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"Child safety comes first - that's why I'm implementing a child safety overhaul."
"Parliament will sit for as long as it takes to get this Bill passed - no one's leaving until it's done."
As stated by Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny
"The reformed Victorian Working with Children Check scheme will ensure greater information sharing and transparency so we can take immediate action to protect Victorian children."
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
"Children deserve to be safe wherever they learn, play and grow - that's why we're strengthening the laws that stop people who pose a risk from working with them."
