Allan government blocks introduction of Worker Screen Amendment (Safety of Children) Bill

The opposition has accused the government of being “more interested in politics than protecting Victorian kids” after a move to strengthen the Working With Children Check system was voted down.

Jacinta Allan has voted to block a bid by the state Opposition to introduce new legislation to overhaul Victoria’s embattled Working With Children Check system.

The Allan government blocked the introduction of the Worker Screen Amendment (Safety of Children) Bill, that Opposition Leader Mr Battin said would urgently strengthen existing laws.

But government MPs hit back saying a review into the system was already well underway.

Premier Jacinta Allan voted to block the new legislation. Picture: Ian Currie

“We’ve seen too often in the media recently where Working With Children checks have literally been given to people or remain with people when they have complaints or investigations going,” he said.

“We will not sit here and let that continue.

“Here in Victoria we have a responsibility to Victorian children and Victorian families.

“Every single person across the state has watched as thousands and thousands of families have been impacted by the events of someone working in childcare who had allegations and complaints made against them but still their Working With Children (check) was in place.

Brad Battin says ‘we have a responsibility to Victorian children and Victorian families’. Picture: Nadir Kinani

“At no stage would we, on this side, want to put politics into this, this is about protecting children.”

Major flaws in the Working With Children regime have been exposed following the arrest and charge of childcare worker Joshua Brown with dozens of child sex crimes.

They include a loophole that allows people under investigation for child sex crimes to continue to hold their Working With Children checks.

Accused childcare predator Joshua Brown has been charged with dozens of child sex crimes.

After Brown was charged it emerged he had been dismissed from a job at a Werribee childcare centre just 18 days into his new role, months before going on to work at a centre where he is accused of alleged abuses.

In 2022 the Victorian Ombudsman handed down a damning report which warned of “serious flaws” in the Working With Children system.

In her report former Ombudsman Deborah Glass said the powers of Victoria’s screening authority were among the most limited in Australia.

“Reforms to the legislation are needed to bring Victoria in line with other states and territories, and to promote the rights of children and families enshrined in Victoria’s Human Rights Charter,” Ms. Glass said.

The government came under fire in parliament on Tuesday amid allegations it had dragged its feet in responding to the report.

Jacinta Allan said she was taking seriously concerns about the system, but said the government would not be rushed into knee jerk responses.

Shadow Attorney-General, Michael O’Brien, said the government should have acted on the Ombudsman’s report.

“The best time for this legislation to be introduced was three years ago … the second best time is now,” he said.

“For the Allan Labor government to indicate they are going to block the introduction of legislation to help protect Victorian children tells you they are more interested about politics and optics than they are about protecting Victorian kids. And that is to their shame.

“Victorian kids are bing put at risk, instead this government wants to have a review into a review, that is not keeping Victorians safe.”

Originally published as Allan government blocks introduction of Worker Screen Amendment (Safety of Children) Bill