Childcare Qld: David Crisafulli calls for federal approach to safety

Premier David Crisafulli says Queensland stands ready to guard against predators in the childcare system, but can’t do it alone.

Action to stop child predators slipping across state borders must be led by the federal government, Premier David Crisafulli says.

In the wake of horrific child sexual abuse allegations at the hands of a childcare worker in Victoria, Mr Crisafulli says Queensland will leave no stone unturned when it comes to increasing safety at daycares.

But targeted action, including the implementation of a childcare worker register, must be instigated by the Commonwealth.

“We stand ready to make sure that our system is the strongest in the nation, and we’ll deliver that,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“But no matter how strong your different jurisdictions are, if you don’t have one national, sweeping approach to stop people moving between systems, there is a real risk there, and that’s what I think Canberra needs to step up to the plate on.

“You can’t have predators jumping across state borders and getting away from scrutiny, you just can’t have that, that puts your kids at risk and it also makes law enforcement really difficult.

“There has to be a national approach, but we are not going to wait for the grass to grow underneath our feet while Canberra does something about it, we are going to call on the federal government to do more.”

The Queensland government has funded additional child safety regulators in its first budget and is in the midst of a significant review into systemic issues of the state’s child protection system and blue cards.

Mr Crisafulli has vowed to fast-track recommendations where necessary.

Premier David Crisafulli on Sunday. Picture: Lachie Millard

“The whole idea about the Blue Card review is to make sure that if things can be improved, they will be and if in the course of that review, there are things that need to be implemented immediately, they will be done,” he said.

The federal government, is meanwhile investigating national law changes, including working with children check reforms and a register for early childhood educators.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare conceded governments’ needed to do more, revealing he wanted to see a national register developed as soon as possible.

“I’ve been pretty blunt. Governments have to do more and providers that aren’t up to scratch have to do more,” he said.

“We have taken action, but more needs to be done and it needs to be done faster.

“When education ministers met recently, we agreed to accelerate work already underway to develop nationwide registration of early educators. I want to see this up and running as soon as possible.”

A national register of early educators requires the co-operation of all jurisdictions.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has written to her state and territory colleagues to progress the working with children-checks reforms, with child protection added as a formal agenda item for the upcoming Standing Council of Attorneys-General.

Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington raised Queensland’s Blue Card review at a meeting earlier this year.

The Blue Card review, led by Queensland Family and Child Commissioner Luke Twyford, is due to be handed to government by the end of 2025.

Mr Crisafulli said he was “opened minded” to what reform success looked like.

“We are also going to do all we can in Queensland, starting with funding those regulators and making sure that that inquiry leaves no stone unturned,” he said.

Originally published as Childcare Qld: David Crisafulli calls for federal approach to safety