To Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh.

Every child deserves to feel safe, nurtured, and protected in the place where they spend some of their most formative years - childcare. This space should not only foster growth and development but also stand as a fortress of safety and security.

With the recent news in Victoria of child predator Joshua Dale Brown has left parents heartbroken and deeply concerned. It serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities our little ones face, highlighting a crucial need for better safety measures in childcare centres across Australia. No parent should live in fear or question their child's safety while they focus on working and providing for their family.

We urge the Australian Government, childcare providers, and regulatory bodies to promptly implement stronger, nationally consistent safety standards. This involves comprehensive background checks, regular safety audits, and mandatory reporting of any suspicious activities. By reinforcing these standards, we can ensure that every child is safeguarded against harm while in childcare, giving parents peace of mind.

The time for change is now. Let us stand together to protect our most innocent and most vulnerable. These measures are critical to prevent any further incidents and provide an environment where children can thrive without fear.

We call on the Education Ministers to amend the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations so that:

No educator caring for children under the age of three may be left alone with those children for longer than 15 consecutive minutes.

Lastly, the recent wave of abuse cases where educators with valid Working With Children Checks and glowing references were able to offend in multiple services has left families feeling betrayed and deeply anxious.

Please add your signature to support the call for stronger safety standards in childcare.