Labor Pushes Childcare Reforms Including CCTV and Funding Cuts Amid Mass Abuse Scandal

The new bill empowers the education department to cut funding if centres fail to fix compliance breaches within 28 days.

EMBARGOED TO 0001 THURSDAY MAY 22 File photo dated 04/08/23 of a baby playing with toys at home in Northamptonshire. A significant number of children are facing "catastrophic" waits for care in the community, leading children's doctors have warned. A new report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) warns that long waits for care can cause "irreparable harm" and "lifelong impacts" in some cases. Issue date: Thursday May 22, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story HEALTH Children. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Labor has introduced legislation to strip federal funding from childcare centres that fail to meet safety and quality standards, in response to shocking abuse allegations at a Melbourne centre.

The move comes after 26-year-old Joshua Dale Brown was charged with over 70 offences while working at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Point Cook—despite having passed a “Working With Children” check.