The Morrison Government continues to crack down on criminals who try to rip off the taxpayer.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan said today's arrests in relation to the Strike Force Mercury operation in Sydney sent a clear warning to people supporting criminal operations: you will be caught.
The Department of Education Child Care Fraud Investigations Team continues to work with New South Wales Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to target organised crime in the family day care sector.
"The Morrison Government is working to track, detect and take strong action against people who try to defraud Australia's child care system," Mr Tehan said.
"Our Government is working to protect the integrity of the child care system and to protect every taxpayer dollar.
"If a parent actively supports an organised criminal operation, they are engaging in fraud and they will be caught.
"Ongoing compliance checks and law enforcement actions have prevented the defrauding of some $2.8 billion in taxpayers' money since 2014.
"Almost 280 operators have been named on the Morrison Government's compliance register since its introduction in January 2018.
"Child care operators that respect the law have nothing to worry about, but if you try to defraud the taxpayer you will get caught."
