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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-02-20 Daily Xml
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Childcare Services

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Emergency and Correctional Services, representing the Minister for Education, on the topic of safety in childcare centres.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: A report by The Advertiser on 12 February found that children are going missing or being locked outside of childcare centres across the state, with the latest data revealing a rise in reports of injuries and illnesses. Last financial year, there were more than 2,370 incidents reported, including about 300 cases where children were taken from centres, locked in or out of rooms or could not be found. Ambulance, police or firefighters were called to centres 245 times and there were more than 1,820 reported injuries or illnesses. Currently, operators are not required to tell parents about incidents or notices issued by safety inspectors, only changes imposed on their conditions of operation. My questions to the minister are:

1. What measures will the government implement to improve the safety of children at childcare centres?

2. Will the government take action to improve the transparency requirements for childcare centre operators regarding safety incidents and notices issued by safety inspectors?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:20): I thank the honourable member for her question. I guess there is an overlap here of different areas that should be looking after this very important matter, but I will start with the minister for early years and see if there is any information that he can get back to you in regard to this matter.

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