The Greens say new early childhood education and care safety measures, announced by both state and federal governments this week, fall far short of what's needed - a national, independent watchdog with real power to keep children safe.
This week's horrifying abuse allegations in Victorian childcare centres have once again exposed a system in crisis. The time for piecemeal, reactive measures is over. What's needed is a regulator with the authority to enforce safety standards, and drive sector-wide reform. The Greens have already put forward a fully costed plan to establish this national body earlier this year.
Senator Steph Hodgins-May is urging the government to work with the Greens to deliver this real reform to early childhood education when parliament resumes in 2.5 weeks.
Earlier this week, the Greens called for a Royal Commission into the safety and quality of early childhood education and care. The Government, to date, has dismissed these calls.
As stated by Australian Greens spokesperson for early childhood education and care, Senator Steph Hodgins-May:
"Following this week's horrifying reports which laid bare serious failings by the early learning system, we're reiterating our call for a national watchdog with teeth to keep our kids safe.
"This independent watchdog would enforce quality standards, act swiftly on safety breaches, and drive a shift toward universal, high-quality care - not just retrospective patch-ups.
"Families are feeling anxious and are counting on us to act now. Reactive band-aid solutions won't keep children safe or move us towards the child-centred system we need for the future.
"The Greens have a costed plan to establish this national regulator, and we're ready to get to work with the Government to deliver this urgent reform before the end of the year."
