Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Early childhood education and care

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:19): My question is to the Premier. Premier, in 2022 a student on placement at a childcare centre where alleged childcare abuser Joshua Brown worked reported serious supervision failures to the government, including educators being left alone with over 20 children. In fact four of the six days on which Joshua Brown is charged with abusing children were after the complaint was made. Why did your government fail to take action –

Jacinta Allan interjected.

Brad BATTIN: Why did you fail to take action when this warning was raised –

Members interjecting.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members at the table, through the Chair, please. Leader of the Opposition, repeat your question.

Brad BATTIN: Why did your government fail to take action when this warning was raised, at the very time this man was allegedly abusing children at the same centre?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:20): I do appreciate that, based on my advice, the Leader of the Opposition rephrased his question, because –

Members interjecting.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The member for Yan Yean can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Yan Yean withdrew from chamber.

Jacinta ALLAN: I will not be reckless, like the Leader of the Opposition is in his commentary. I will not be reckless like the Leader of the Opposition has been in his commentary, because there are serious, horrific abuse allegations that Victoria Police is currently investigating, and we should let Victoria Police do this work without jeopardising its case and bring justice to these families. The Leader of the Opposition refers to allegations that were allegedly made to the regulator back in 2022. Given that the Leader of the Opposition has a habit of concealing information from his own colleagues, I think the Leader of the Opposition will understand that I will not take on face value –

Bridget Vallence: Deputy Speaker, I hate to raise this point of order on such a serious matter. The Premier herself has outlined how serious the matter is, yet the Premier is using the opportunity to attack the opposition in this very serious question. Parents and children deserve an answer, and we would ask, on relevance, for the Premier to come back to that.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I ask the Premier to continue on the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: The Leader of the Opposition made claims about matters that were raised in 2022, so we can assume three or so years ago. I will go and seek advice on those matters because it is important that any response is a response based on fact and evidence, not assumption or hearsay, because I will do nothing to jeopardise the good work of Victoria Police in investigating these horrific allegations.

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): Given the alleged abuse of children that has occurred under the Minister for Children’s watch, why does the Premier continue to have full confidence in her?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:23): I make it absolutely clear to the Leader of the Opposition: I have full confidence in the Minister for Children. There is no-one who works harder.

Members interjecting.

Jacinta ALLAN: I will tell you why, and I hope you ask for an extension of time so I can tell you why. I will say that the Minister for Children is so deeply committed in one of the most difficult portfolio areas of government, and anyone who has served in the child protection portfolio knows just how important and challenging and difficult the work of that minister is. Lizzie Blandthorn, the minister in the other place, is of the highest quality with significant intellect and commitment to this task. And I say this: we have called the urgent review, we will implement the recommendations of this review and Minister Blandthorn will be responsible for it.