BREAKING: The Australian Federal Government is launching an urgent overhaul of the national Working With Children check system following shocking allegations of sexual abuse at a Melbourne childcare centre. This decisive action comes after Victoria Police charged Joshua Dale Brown, 26, with over 70 offences, including child rape and possession of child abuse material.
The allegations, stemming from incidents at the Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Point Cook, have ignited widespread outrage. In response, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland stated that reforming the Working With Children checks will be the “first item on the agenda” in her upcoming meetings with state and territory counterparts.
Rowland emphasized the urgency, telling Sky News on Sunday, “This is something we are actively doing now.” She indicated that many would be “shocked” to learn that implementing a national system was a recommendation from a 2015 Royal Commission into child sexual abuse. “We’re now in 2025. What is important here is that we have action,” she added.
Currently, Working With Children checks are conducted at state and territory levels, with no federal oversight or communication regarding violations. Rowland is advocating for a solution that enables near real-time reporting and data access, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Jason Clare has pledged to introduce legislation allowing the federal government to cut funding to childcare centres failing to meet safety standards. Clare stated that funding is a significant lever the government can pull to enhance children’s safety.
Parliament is set to resume next week for the first time since the federal election, making this a critical moment for the government to act decisively on these reforms.
The implications of these changes are monumental, especially for parents and guardians concerned about the safety of their children in childcare facilities. As the government moves forward, the focus will be on ensuring that such violations do not happen again, establishing a robust system that prioritizes the safety and well-being of children across Australia.
This is a developing situation, and more updates will follow as the government outlines its specific plans for the proposed reforms. Stay tuned for further details.
