Thursday, 14 August 2025

Early childhood education and care

Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:13): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier guarantee that this individual who was dismissed for sexual misconduct in 2020 will have his working with children check cancelled by close of business today?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:13): In answering the member for Kew’s question, I reiterate what I have said previously in this place in regard to this instance: that it does demonstrate that the system does need to be strengthened to keep children safe. As I have also already advised the house, there is a process underway to cancel this individual’s working with children check. Further to that, this underscores the importance of the rapid review that is underway and will be handed to the government tomorrow, and we will take further action to keep children safe.

Brad Battin: On a point of order, Speaker, in relation to relevance, the question was about cancelling a specific working with children check, not in relation to a rapid review that is still letting this person work in childcare centres and with kids across Victoria.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I have asked you repeatedly to raise points of order correctly. The Premier has concluded her answer.

Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:14): If the Premier cannot guarantee that this individual’s working with children check will not be cancelled by the end of today, on behalf of all Victorian families I ask: how long will this man continue to have an active working with children check and be able to work with children?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:15): I reiterate again that there is a process underway to cancel this individual’s working with children check, and I understand that the system does need to be strengthened, which is why, as Premier, we have already moved to strengthen the worker-screening unit. It is why we have strengthened and introduced a registration system for early childcare workers.

Jess Wilson: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, I asked the Premier: for how much longer will this individual have an active working with children check?

Mary-Anne Thomas: On the point of order, Speaker, opposition members are repeatedly defying your ruling that the common understanding is that a point of order is not an opportunity to repeat the question. So I ask that you rule this point of order out of order and let ministers on their feet answer the questions.

Brad Battin: In relation to the point of order and to support the point of order from the member for Kew, quite clearly, if it assists the house, we will make a commitment to not get up and re-ask the question in points of order if the government commit to answering these questions that are putting children at risk in Victoria.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, that is not a point of order. On the point of order, the Premier was being relevant to the question that was asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: In concluding my answer, I say this very clearly as both the Premier and as a parent: I have been clear that the system needs to be strengthened, and I will act to strengthen the system, implementing the review that is being undertaken right now to keep children in this state safe.