Victoria child safety overhaul: Premier Jacinta Allan implementing 22 recommendations, legislation

West Australian

12 hours ago

Following a horrific string of alleged child sexual abuse incidents across Melbourne childcare centres by Joshua Brown, the Victorian Government has announced a major overhaul to the system to increase child safety.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allen's Labor Government said it would accept and implement all 22 recommendations that came from an independent rapid child safety review, and introduce legislation at the next sitting to suspend 'individual Working with Children Checks'.
The State Government will also establish a new 'national-leading' regulator, which it says will 'double' compliance checks to keep kids safe.
The plan, which includes 'beefing up the Social Services Regulator' to bring WWCC, the Reportable Conduct Scheme and Child Safe Standards under one roof, will also see the introduction of 'mandatory child safety training'.
Ms Allen said: 'I will do everything in my power as Premier to make sure child safety comes first – that's why we're announcing a child safety overhaul.'
More to come...