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Perth Now
5 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
State's childcare centres ‘on notice'
Childcare and early learning centres in NSW have been put on notice that the 'days of pretending to improve while nothing is done are over', with centres failing children to face a crackdown. Acting Education and Early Learning Minister Courtney Houssos has announced a list of changes coming for the sector, including the launch of an independent regulator agency and providing parents with 'increased information' and 'transparency for the community'. Former deputy NSW Ombudsman Chris Wheeler was commissioned to conduct an independent review into the sector in February after a rise in safety breaches in the sector last year. A list of proposed reforms was released in June. Speaking to media on Wednesday, Ms Houssos welcomed feedback for its reforms into the childhood sector. The NSW government will introduce a trial of CCTV cameras inside childcare centres. NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia 'We will be increasing the fines on individual centres,' she said. 'And we will be, as the Wheeler Review recommended, establishing a trial of CCTV cameras.' Ms Houssos said while there were many early 'fantastic' learning centres across the state, the underperforming centres had been put on notice. 'The time for the days are pretending to improve while nothing is done are over,' she said. 'We are really clear that we will be cracking down on those centres who are not delivering for those safe and quality environments for parents and for children. 'We take this responsibility incredibly seriously, that's why we have such a comprehensive program of reform.' Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said poorly performing early childcare centres were 'on notice'. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia However, in response to the reforms, early educator Rebecca Saville argued the changes were a 'Band-Aid fix', In a letter penned to the federal Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh, Ms Saville said the sector didn't need announcements, but rather an 'overhaul' of 'how the sector is funded, staffed, regulated, and respected'. 'I was prompted to write the letter because I was hearing of other educators' concerns within the sector and how the new safety measures don't address the issues at heart and are a Band-Aid fix,' she said per The Daily Telegraph. Ms Houssos said the government was 'hamstrung' getting the reforms through. NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Houssos told media on Wednesday the government was working with ministers from across the country on the reforms, which she hopes would be 'pursued at a national level'. 'We have a sense of urgency for the reforms that we're pursuing,' she said. 'And we are going to get these changes under way.' 'We are hamstrung by the national law, but this is law that does pass through each of the individual parliaments,' she added. 'I want to be clear under performing centres that the time of pretending to improve while nothing is done are over.'
The Advertiser
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
State minister steps back after breast cancer diagnosis
The deputy premier of Australia's most populous state has revealed she has breast cancer and is taking time out to undergo treatment. Labor's Prue Car said the cancer was discovered during a recent screening and that, because it was caught early, her doctors are optimistic about her prognosis. "I've faced this challenge before, and I'm determined to beat it again," the MP for Londonderry said in a statement on Tuesday. "Testing has confirmed this is unrelated to my previous diagnosis." In 2022, the mother of one, who entered state parliament in 2015, took leave after being diagnosed with kidney cancer. Ms Car has been deputy premier of NSW since Labor won government in March 2023. Her portfolios of Minister for Education and Early Learning and Minister for Western Sydney will be taken over by fellow minister Courtney Houssos while she undergoes treatment. "Breast cancer screenings are vital for early detection and treatment, and I strongly encourage all women to stay up to date with their checks," Ms Car said. Premier Chris Minns said Ms Car was a fighter and would face her health challenge with determination and grace. "I fully support her decision to take the time she needs to focus on her health and recovery, and I know she will be supported by expert care and the love of her family, friends, and colleagues," he said in a statement. "I also echo her important message about early detection and encourage everyone to stay on top of their health checks." Ms Car was a Penrith City councillor and national communications manager at MS Australia before she entered parliament. She was also an advisor to former NSW Labor premier Bob Carr from 2003 to 2005 and a party campaign co-ordinator from 2005 to 2007. Ms Car, who's in her early 40s, is not the first woman MP to hold office while facing breast cancer. Federal Victorian MP Peta Murphy battled a recurrence of breast cancer after she entered parliament in 2019. She died in 2023 aged 50. The deputy premier of Australia's most populous state has revealed she has breast cancer and is taking time out to undergo treatment. Labor's Prue Car said the cancer was discovered during a recent screening and that, because it was caught early, her doctors are optimistic about her prognosis. "I've faced this challenge before, and I'm determined to beat it again," the MP for Londonderry said in a statement on Tuesday. "Testing has confirmed this is unrelated to my previous diagnosis." In 2022, the mother of one, who entered state parliament in 2015, took leave after being diagnosed with kidney cancer. Ms Car has been deputy premier of NSW since Labor won government in March 2023. Her portfolios of Minister for Education and Early Learning and Minister for Western Sydney will be taken over by fellow minister Courtney Houssos while she undergoes treatment. "Breast cancer screenings are vital for early detection and treatment, and I strongly encourage all women to stay up to date with their checks," Ms Car said. Premier Chris Minns said Ms Car was a fighter and would face her health challenge with determination and grace. "I fully support her decision to take the time she needs to focus on her health and recovery, and I know she will be supported by expert care and the love of her family, friends, and colleagues," he said in a statement. "I also echo her important message about early detection and encourage everyone to stay on top of their health checks." Ms Car was a Penrith City councillor and national communications manager at MS Australia before she entered parliament. She was also an advisor to former NSW Labor premier Bob Carr from 2003 to 2005 and a party campaign co-ordinator from 2005 to 2007. Ms Car, who's in her early 40s, is not the first woman MP to hold office while facing breast cancer. Federal Victorian MP Peta Murphy battled a recurrence of breast cancer after she entered parliament in 2019. She died in 2023 aged 50. The deputy premier of Australia's most populous state has revealed she has breast cancer and is taking time out to undergo treatment. Labor's Prue Car said the cancer was discovered during a recent screening and that, because it was caught early, her doctors are optimistic about her prognosis. "I've faced this challenge before, and I'm determined to beat it again," the MP for Londonderry said in a statement on Tuesday. "Testing has confirmed this is unrelated to my previous diagnosis." In 2022, the mother of one, who entered state parliament in 2015, took leave after being diagnosed with kidney cancer. Ms Car has been deputy premier of NSW since Labor won government in March 2023. Her portfolios of Minister for Education and Early Learning and Minister for Western Sydney will be taken over by fellow minister Courtney Houssos while she undergoes treatment. "Breast cancer screenings are vital for early detection and treatment, and I strongly encourage all women to stay up to date with their checks," Ms Car said. Premier Chris Minns said Ms Car was a fighter and would face her health challenge with determination and grace. "I fully support her decision to take the time she needs to focus on her health and recovery, and I know she will be supported by expert care and the love of her family, friends, and colleagues," he said in a statement. "I also echo her important message about early detection and encourage everyone to stay on top of their health checks." Ms Car was a Penrith City councillor and national communications manager at MS Australia before she entered parliament. She was also an advisor to former NSW Labor premier Bob Carr from 2003 to 2005 and a party campaign co-ordinator from 2005 to 2007. Ms Car, who's in her early 40s, is not the first woman MP to hold office while facing breast cancer. Federal Victorian MP Peta Murphy battled a recurrence of breast cancer after she entered parliament in 2019. She died in 2023 aged 50. The deputy premier of Australia's most populous state has revealed she has breast cancer and is taking time out to undergo treatment. Labor's Prue Car said the cancer was discovered during a recent screening and that, because it was caught early, her doctors are optimistic about her prognosis. "I've faced this challenge before, and I'm determined to beat it again," the MP for Londonderry said in a statement on Tuesday. "Testing has confirmed this is unrelated to my previous diagnosis." In 2022, the mother of one, who entered state parliament in 2015, took leave after being diagnosed with kidney cancer. Ms Car has been deputy premier of NSW since Labor won government in March 2023. Her portfolios of Minister for Education and Early Learning and Minister for Western Sydney will be taken over by fellow minister Courtney Houssos while she undergoes treatment. "Breast cancer screenings are vital for early detection and treatment, and I strongly encourage all women to stay up to date with their checks," Ms Car said. Premier Chris Minns said Ms Car was a fighter and would face her health challenge with determination and grace. "I fully support her decision to take the time she needs to focus on her health and recovery, and I know she will be supported by expert care and the love of her family, friends, and colleagues," he said in a statement. "I also echo her important message about early detection and encourage everyone to stay on top of their health checks." Ms Car was a Penrith City councillor and national communications manager at MS Australia before she entered parliament. She was also an advisor to former NSW Labor premier Bob Carr from 2003 to 2005 and a party campaign co-ordinator from 2005 to 2007. Ms Car, who's in her early 40s, is not the first woman MP to hold office while facing breast cancer. Federal Victorian MP Peta Murphy battled a recurrence of breast cancer after she entered parliament in 2019. She died in 2023 aged 50.
