Tuesday, 9 December 2025

 Anasina GRAY-BARBERIO (Northern Metropolitan) (12:11): (1182) My question is for the Attorney-General. In yesterday’s early childhood education hearings the Victorian Ombudsman revealed that it notified the office multiple times about overhauling Victoria’s weak working with children check scheme, a child safety scheme that had gaping loopholes being exploited by predators, following the investigation of a youth worker sexually assaulting a young child. Despite these clear warnings, the Labor government sat on this for three years and missed an opportunity to strengthen the scheme. Given that these warnings were explicit and repeated and identified a clear risk to child safety, can you explain why your government did not act during those three years to strengthen the system?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:12): I thank Ms Gray-Barberio for her question. I will make sure that is passed on to the Attorney-General in the other place for a response in line with the standing orders.

 Anasina GRAY-BARBERIO (Northern Metropolitan) (12:12): The Ombudsman’s top recommendation from this investigation report was to overhaul the working with children check system. Both QARD and the Commission for Children and Young People have since reported increases in reportable conduct matters and breaches of the child safe standards. Attorney-General, given these trends and your government’s prolonged inaction, has your office assessed the impact this inaction has had on the harms to Victorian children and if they could have been prevented?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:12): I thank Ms Gray-Barberio for that supplementary question. In line with the standing orders, I will make sure that is passed on to the Attorney-General in the other place for a response.