Band-aid fixes won’t protect children, Greens ready to work with Government to deliver a national independent early learning watchdog with teeth
Band-aid fixes won’t protect children, Greens ready to work with Government to deliver a national independent early learning watchdog with teeth | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Band-aid fixes won’t protect children, Greens ready to work with Government to deliver a national independent early learning watchdog with teeth 2025-07-03 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. Lines attributable to 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.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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