Children deserve better than Labor’s broken childcare system

The Nationals' Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for failing to act on growing safety concerns in Victoria’s childcare system, calling it a “dereliction of duty that has left children exposed and families rightly furious.”

Mr McCurdy said while complaints to Victoria’s childcare regulator have skyrocketed by 45 per cent since 2018, enforcement actions have plummeted by 67 per cent, a shocking failure of oversight.

“How many more warnings does the Allan Labor Government need before it stops ignoring parents and starts protecting children?” Mr McCurdy said.

“This isn’t about paperwork or red tape, it’s about the safety of our kids. Labor has buried its head in the sand while families are left wondering if their childcare centre is safe.”

In response, The Nationals' and The Liberals have announced a new six-point plan to restore community confidence and put children’s safety first.

Key measures include fixing Working With Children Check loopholes, creating a central workforce register, banning personal phones in centres, installing CCTV, and introducing an independent safety watchdog.

“Labor is dragging its feet with another review, we’re ready to legislate real reform right now,” Mr McCurdy said.

“We need leadership, not lip service. Parents deserve transparency. Children deserve protection, and dodgy operators deserve consequences.”

The Nationals’ plan also proposes linking federal childcare funding to safety performance, a model already in use in aged care and schools.

“Enough is enough. If Labor won’t act, we will. The safety of Victoria’s children cannot wait,” Mr McCurdy said.

Labor can't manage childcare, and Victorian families are paying the price.