Thursday, 31 July 2025

Early childhood education and care

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:10): (984) My question is again to the Minister for Children. Minister, alleged childcare abuser Joshua Brown was the subject of two complaints in 2023 and 2024, which were investigated and substantiated by the centre’s operator. Both were reported to the government’s regulator. Despite this, the regulator is specifically excluded from the terms of the government’s review. Why is the government unwilling to review a regulator which failed to stop a man committing 73 offences against children in child care?

The PRESIDENT: I am just wondering about it being the same question. There was a very similar question asked by I think Ms Gray-Barberio yesterday about the regulator not being within the scope of the review, and I reckon I could give the minister’s answer – what she said.

Melina Bath: That wouldn’t be appropriate.

The PRESIDENT: It would be inappropriate if I did that. I might be offending against the same question rule, but anyway, I am going to ask the minister to respond.

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:11): I thank Ms Crozier, and I may also be offending against the same rule by repeating my same answer, although I do appreciate the opportunity to correct the record again, given some of the inaccuracies that were put in the course of debate yesterday. It remains open to the review to consider all matters, including that of the regulator. It is completely disingenuous to suggest that it is excluded in the way that those opposite have.

What I did make clear was that while there is an ongoing police investigation, if those opposite would like to see justice for the accused and for the families involved, then they should also be very careful about the accusations that they are making in this place, because I think all of us see the absolute evil that was perpetrated here and would hope that justice can be achieved, and to in any way be compromising that with the commentary of those opposite is extremely disappointing.

Members interjecting.

Lizzie BLANDTHORN: I make it very clear again to the house that there is a review that can consider the regulator. But the consideration of the status of the regulator, the way in which the regulator is conducted – I have also a number of times publicly said on the record that this is something that the government was already looking at and continues to be looking at. It is something that we were looking at and continue to be looking at and that the reviewers are more than in their remit to make comment on.

Members interjecting.

Tom McIntosh: On a point of order, President, I let it go the first time, the second time and the third time – Mr Davis is yelling and has pointed on three separate –

Members interjecting.

Tom McIntosh: He is just yelling and pointing from the other side. Seriously.

Members interjecting.

Tom McIntosh: You are yelling at the top of your voice.

The PRESIDENT: I reminded members yesterday that it is unparliamentary to point across the chamber. I think the minister has finished her answer.

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:13): Given the minister is completely trying to abrogate all responsibility for the failings of the government on this really serious issue and given the government has excluded the childcare regulator – it is not mentioned in the terms of reference for the review – will you rule out making any changes to the regulator?

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:14): I have been absolutely misconstrued. Again I say that it remains open to the reviewers to consider the regulator, and it also has been said by me and the Premier that we will implement every recommendation of the review.