In the wake of the horrific allegations of child sexual abuse by a childcare worker in Melbourne, the Liberals and Nationals are once again calling on the Premier to urgently recall Parliament.
For the second day, the Liberals and Nationals have urged Jacinta Allan to urgently bring Parliament back to pass reforms that will immediately strengthen protections for children and ensure action is not delayed. So far, these calls have been ignored.
Victorian families want to see action. That's why the Victorian Liberals and Nationals have launched a petition for Victorians to add their voice to the call for urgent action.
The Liberals and Nationals are also deeply concerned by the Premier's decision to appoint former Labor Premier, Jay Weatherill, to conduct an inquiry into child safety in early childhood education and care settings?
As Premier of South Australia, Mr Weatherill presided over the state's worst child protection disaster, with his government ignoring repeated warnings leading to devastating consequences.
By appointing a former Labor Premier to lead this review, the Allan Labor Government has politicised the process from the outset instead of putting the interests of families and the community first.
It's time the government also answered questions about the role of the state childcare regulator and its failure to keep children in childcare safe.
The Minister for Children must immediately answer these critical questions:
- When did the Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD) of the Department of Education become aware the recent abuse allegations?
- Did QARD or the Minister receive any complaints or allegations regarding the alleged offender from parents or other members of the public?
- Were there any prior complaints or concerns raised with QARD or the Minster about the childcare services involved?
- What compliance history did the relevant childcare providers have prior to the incident?
- Did QARD or the Minister receive any notifications or informal information regarding the alleged offender or any of the childcare services from the Commissioner for Children and Young People, including under the Reportable Conduct Scheme?
- Did QARD or the Minister receive any information regarding the alleged offender or any of the childcare services from the Working With Children Check unit?
- What monitoring or inspection processes were in place and did QARD fail to identify potential risks or breaches?
- Did the services meet staffing, supervision, and child safety requirements under the National Quality Framework?
- What steps has QARD taken since the allegations emerged to ensure the safety of children at the affected services and services across Victoria?
- Was the Minister given any briefings relating to weaknesses in the early learning regulatory framework in Victoria, or relating to child safety in Victorian childcare centres?
Shadow Minister for Education, Jess Wilson said: "The Allan Labor Government is failing to take the immediate action required to ensure Victorian children are safe at childcare.
"Trust in the system that is meant to keep children safe has been shattered. Instead of restoring that trust through immediate reform the Premier has decided to appoint a political ally.
"Victorian families deserve better - they deserve a government that puts them before politics. That's why we're calling on Victorians to support recalling parliament to pass urgent reform and keep children safe."
Sign the Petition: https://www.childsafetymatters.com.au/
