As shocking revelations continue to emerge about systemic failures that led to alleged abuse in Melbourne childcare centres, the Allan Labor Government's failure of leadership has left Victorian parents demanding answers.
Three years ago, Victoria's Ombudsman identified that Victoria's working with children laws were some of the weakest in the nation and recommended urgent reforms. Yet three years later, the Allan Government has done nothing.
Shadow Attorney-General, Michael O'Brien, said the government had ignored clear warnings and failed to act.
"Three years ago, Victoria's Ombudsman identified that Victoria's working with children laws were some of the weakest in the nation. They needed to be amended and strengthened - and it needed to happen urgently. Three years later, nothing has happened. And it's up to the Premier to explain why her government has not taken the action that the Ombudsman recommended," Mr O'Brien said.
"At the moment, unless there's a criminal conviction or a workplace disciplinary finding, people can get a working with children check - even if they're under active police investigation for crimes relating to children. That's nonsense. It was identified as a problem three years ago and they should be fixing it."
"When it comes to protecting children, we should be leaving no stone unturned. Every opportunity to strengthen laws should be taken. The fact remains that three years on, the Ombudsman's clear recommendations to the Labor Government haven't been acted on - they should be acted on."
Mr O'Brien also urged the government to consider reforms already underway in New South Wales, where appeals against decisions to refuse working with children checks have been scrapped.
Shadow Minister for Education, Jess Wilson, said families had been let down by a system riddled with gaps that the Government has failed to close.
"Parents around the state are rightly concerned and have had their trust in the system destroyed over recent days. Anything we can do as a parliament to restore that trust - and to ensure that when parents are dropping off their kids at childcare they know the system is going to protect their children - we will support," Ms Wilson said.
"While a review has been established, there are actions that the Government could take today, not months from now, to strengthen child safety in childcare settings. There are glaring holes in the system and it is essential we act now to ensure children are protected.
"We need to look to the future and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place. This is not the case today but it must be as soon as possible.
Ms Wilson said installing CCTV in childcare centres was one simple, immediate step that would improve accountability and safety.
"We don't need to wait for the review to finish in August - we can act on CCTV today. It will restore trust, help police investigations and deter wrongdoing," Ms Wilson said.
Ms Wilson also called for mandatory training for applicants for working with children checks and for the establishment of a Victorian register to track carers and educators across the system.
"We have previously called for mandatory training to be introduced for anyone applying for a working with children check - like you would be required to do when applying for many other licences in this state. Yet the government still hasn't acted," Ms Wilson said.
"We are saying to the government: we are willing to work with you. If you need to recall Parliament to pass legislation swiftly, we will be there to support that."
The Liberals and Nationals stand ready to work with the government to implement these long-overdue reforms and ensure Victoria's most vulnerable are protected.
