GREENS-BACKED NATIONAL CHILDCARE COMMISSION WOULD MAKE CHILDREN SAFER, BRING COSTS DOWN

The Greens’ plans to establish an independent Early Childhood Education and Care Commission will improve safety and quality for children in early education, bring costs down and guarantee access to early learning for all families, says The Parenthood. 

The establishment of such a commission was recommended by the Productivity Commission’s landmark inquiry into the sector in 2024. Early childhood education campaigners including The Parenthood, Early Childhood Australia, Goodstart, Royal Far West and ARACY called for it's establishment last week.

The announcement of the Greens’ plans come in the wake of the ABC’s Four Corners report exposing abuse and misconduct by some childcare providers.

In Parliament last week, Early Childhood Education Minister, Anne Aly vowed to cut off funding for childcare providers in breach of safety and quality standards or not paying staff, and those with financial integrity problems. 

The Parenthood welcomed Minister Aly’s announcement and said the logical next step would be to establish an early childhood education and care commission. 

“The measures announced by the Government last week could be the first step toward the deep reform that the early education system so desperately needs, but in the long term, we need a national commission to oversee them,” said Ms Dent.  

“The Greens’ plans to establish such a body to oversee the early childhood education and care sector heeds a recommendation from the Productivity Commission and calls that The Parenthood and other advocates have made for years. 

“It will work with states and territories to guarantee safety and high quality standards for every child.”

“Our current early education and care system lacks strong, independent, federal oversight, and enables unscrupulous providers to put profit before the needs of children and families. Urgent reform is needed.

“The Government and Opposition must also heed the Productivity Commission’s call  to establish the Independent Early Childhood Education Commission in the interests of children and families across Australia,” said Ms Dent.