‘Sickens me': Review reveals childcare shock
The Rapid Child Safety Review, released on Wednesday, recommended creating a powerful new watchdog and overhauling the troubled Working With Children Check (WWCC) regime. Former childcare worker Joshua Brown is alleged to have sexually abused babies and toddlers. Picture Supplied. Credit: Supplied
The review, led by former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill and public servant Pamela White, handed down 22 recommendations and urged the Victorian government to enact them within 12 months.
It followed allegations Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Brown sexually abused babies and toddlers, prompting at least seven further reports of alleged or proven abuse by people with WWCC clearances since July.
Premier Jacinta Allan apologised to families and committed to implementing all 22 recommendations.
'This sickens me as premier, it also sickens me as a mum,' Ms Allan said, Premier Jacinta Allan said the report 'sickens' her. NewsWire / Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia
She announced a new Early Childhood Education and Care Regulator by the end of 2025 with 'real teeth' and double the current rate of compliance checks.
All WWCC applicants will have to complete child safety training, and clearances could be revoked on unsubstantiated allegations, rather than only following formal charges or convictions.
The Premier and Cabinet were briefed on Monday, and ministers will meet Friday to discuss immediate action.
More to come.
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Jordan Spencer: Woman pleads guilty to Shepparton fire attack on Paris Carpio
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Mr McLaren, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, took Ms Carpio's e-scooter and rode off when she'd walked to a nearby milk bar to purchase cigarettes at 5.20pm. About 15 minutes later, Ms Carpio attended Spencer's home 'upset and clearly intoxicated' looking for Mr McLaren, yelling that she wanted her e-scooter back. She spoke to Spencer, who said Mr McLaren wasn't there, and later smashed a window and attempted to force her way into the home. Ms Carpio left after Spencer called triple-0 but returned less than an hour later after spotting Mr McLaren riding the streets on her device. She broke a glass panel near the front door, with Spencer urging her to come inside, saying 'I'll give you what you deserve'. Just before 6.30pm as Ms Carpio was backing away Spencer exited the house, flinging a bowl of petrol at the young woman and repeatedly attempting to ignite the lighter. Outlining the facts of the case, Crown prosecutor John Dickie said CCTV recorded that Spencer 'watched Ms Carpio burning' before picking up her lighter and going inside. Ms Carpio suffered severe burns to her upper body and was rushed to hospital in Melbourne in a critical state, while Spencer walked to a neighbour's house and attempted to blame her victim. Inside her home police discovered a jerry can with two litres of petrol on a kitchen bench and the jet lighter on the dining table. In recorded jailhouse calls, Spencer blamed Mr McLaren for 'causing the whole instigation of the f--king argument' and claiming she was 'f--ked' because he hadn't removed the CCTV recording. 'Yeah, well you didn't come to fix what you started so I had to,' she said. The court was told Spencer maintains the bowl of petrol and lighter had been placed by the front door by Mr McLaren as a home defence tool. 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‘Outlandish': Judge's disbelief at fire claim
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Mr McLaren, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, took Ms Carpio's e-scooter and rode off when she'd walked to a nearby milk bar to purchase cigarettes at 5.20pm. About 15 minutes later, Ms Carpio attended Spencer's home 'upset and clearly intoxicated' looking for Mr McLaren, yelling that she wanted her e-scooter back. She spoke to Spencer, who said Mr McLaren wasn't there, and later smashed a window and attempted to force her way into the home. Ms Carpio left after Spencer called triple-0 but returned less than an hour later after spotting Mr McLaren riding the streets on her device. Paris Carpio suffered burns to 30 per cent of her body. Supplied. Credit: News Corp Australia She broke a glass panel near the front door, with Spencer urging her to come inside, saying 'I'll give you what you deserve'. Just before 6.30pm as Ms Carpio was backing away Spencer exited the house, flinging a bowl of petrol at the young woman and repeatedly attempting to ignite the lighter. Outlining the facts of the case, Crown prosecutor John Dickie said CCTV recorded that Spencer 'watched Ms Carpio burning' before picking up her lighter and going inside. Ms Carpio suffered severe burns to her upper body and was rushed to hospital in Melbourne in a critical state, while Spencer walked to a neighbour's house and attempted to blame her victim. Inside her home police discovered a jerry can with two litres of petrol on a kitchen bench and the jet lighter on the dining table. In recorded jailhouse calls, Spencer blamed Mr McLaren for 'causing the whole instigation of the f--king argument' and claiming she was 'f--ked' because he hadn't removed the CCTV recording. 'Yeah, well you didn't come to fix what you started so I had to,' she said. The court was told Spencer maintains the bowl of petrol and lighter had been placed by the front door by Mr McLaren as a home defence tool. 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