Senator the Hon Jonno Duniam
Shadow Minister for Education and Early Learning
Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate
Senator for Tasmania
Zoe McKenzie MP
Shadow Assistant Minister for Education and Early Learning
Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health
Federal Member for Flinders
The Coalition is urging the Albanese Government to prioritise the protection and safety of children in early learning centres across Australia following sickening allegations against a childcare worker in Victoria were revealed.
At its request, the Coalition was briefed yesterday by government officials on proposed legislation set to be introduced into the Federal Parliament.
Shadow Minister for Education and Early Learning, Jonno Duniam, said the Coalition remains steadfast in its commitment to work collaboratively with the government to urgently address flaws in the current system.
“The Coalition remains ready to work constructively to progress suitable legislation and will carefully consider the draft legislation as soon as we see it,” Senator Duniam said.
“The true test for any legislation will be whether it leads to children in early learning settings being safer and better protected. It is incumbent on the government to use all of the levers at its disposal to ensure this happens.”
The Coalition notes the early learning sector is underpinned by both Commonwealth and state and territory laws and the onus is on all governments to work together to better protect children.
“While the states and territories are also actively looking to fix gaps in the current system, the Albanese Government has a critical leadership role to play,” Senator Duniam said.
It comes as Education Minister, Jason Clare admitted that ‘Ministers have not been doing enough fast enough... including me, and I take my fair share of responsibility for it.’
The main mechanism for working with states and territories on early learning matters, the Education Ministers Meeting, had not been convened for over a year between June 2024 and June 2025.
Education Ministers met only in the last week of June, when Ministers were reportedly advised of the allegations relating to a Victorian child care worker which have subsequently shocked the nation.
Shadow Assistant Minister for Education and Early Learning, Zoe McKenzie, is concerned that the proposed laws may not go far enough to prevent the horrific alleged abuse that sparked action the reforms.
“The Government’s foremost responsibility now is to keep our children safe. Parents, who rely on early learning centres across Australia so they can participate in the workforce, are calling on governments to provide that confidence,” Ms McKenzie said.
“The Government must ensure its proposed legislation improves safety and removes the risk of this ever happening again.”
The Coalition will continue to work with the government to ensure the speedy passage of legislation through the Parliament and that it shifts the dial on safety and protection of children in early learning centres