In light of Four Corners' reporting overnight suggesting Australia's early childhood education and care system is at breaking point, the Greens are urging the Government to set up a Royal Commission.
Investigative reporting from the ABC's Four Corners program has highlighted a series of deeply troubling revelations including instances of serious abuse, staff misconduct, over-enrolment and other issues caused by a trend of putting profit over care. There is evidence that these issues may be systemic and occurring in centres across the country.
The Greens early childhood education spokesperson, Victorian Senator Steph Hodgins-May, says the Prime Minister cannot keep ignoring alarm bells, such as those identified in the Four Corners report, and must set out a clear roadmap to reform via a Royal Commission, similar to the one into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
As stated by Greens early childhood education spokesperson, Senator Steph Hodgins-May:
"The Prime Minister can't keep ignoring the alarm bells that are ringing so loudly within the childcare sector. It's time for a serious overhaul.
"The Greens are urging the government to initiate a Royal Commission, like was done with the crisis in the aged care system, to make sure that every childcare centre in the country is operating safely for both the kids in care as well as the staff.
"The reports we know about are likely just the tip of the iceberg. A Royal Commission into privatised early childhood education would bring to light the extent of the problem, and help pave the way for reform.
"The current system is riddled with problems after years of neglect and marketisation of policy-it is too expensive, inaccessible and, at times, even harmful.
"Labor's childcare subsidy encourages for-profit providers to minimise costs, increase fees and make greater returns often at the expense of our kids. It's a broken system.
"The Greens believe in free universal education for all-right through from children to university-but we recognise a low-cost flat fee of $10 a day would be a significant improvement on the current approach.
"With more Greens in Parliament, we can fight for free, universal and high-quality early childhood education."
