ACT raised childcare concerns last year

Anthony Albanese says revelations that one in 10 childcare centres have not been rated by regulators are of “deep concern” but has dismissed calls for a royal commission into the sector.

A Four Corners report has revealed one in 10 childcare centres have not been rated by regulators. Picture: Getty Images

Anthony Albanese says revelations that one in 10 childcare centres have not been rated by regulators are of “deep concern” but has dismissed calls for a royal commission into the sector, as the ACT Labor government confirmed it raised alarm over the inability of national laws to quickly catch dodgy childcare operators last year.

The Prime Minister on Tuesday hosed down suggestions the federal government needed to wrest oversight of the childcare sector from states and territories in the wake of an ABC Four Corners investigation that showed profit was being prioritised over children’s safety and wellbeing.

“We of course expect every child who goes into an early learning centre to be treated properly, with respect,” he said.

“Last night’s revelations on Four Corners are, of course, of deep concern. There needs to be, certainly, investigations and action taken wherever those standards are not met.

“I’m sure that state governments … will have a look at what has been revealed last night (and) will be really concerned.”

In response to the revelations, ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said the issues with the “market-driven delivery” of childcare had been made clear in recent years and revealed she had raised concerns as recently as December with the limits on national laws to catch providers showing early signs of bad behaviour, such as failure to pay staff.

“In December, I wrote to my state and territory colleagues about my concerns about the national law’s ability to manage players in the early childhood education and care market who may put profit over the best interests of children in their care and staff,” she said.

“There is clearly more work to do to respond to market failures in the early childhood education and care sector, and to ensure regulatory action can be taken swiftly against approved providers who do not operate in the best interests of staff, children and families, in order to prevent situations arising in the future.”

A Victorian government spokeswoman said the reports were of concern, but pointed out Victoria recorded the second-lowest rate of confirmed regulatory breaches in the sector among all states and territories in 2023-24.

WA also defended its complaints-handling system, which it said encouraged parents and families to raise complaints or questions directly with the regulator.
NSW, which was at the centre of the Four Corners investigation, said the state’s regulatory authority “stepped up its activity with a record number of visits” to centres last year.

“While this increased activity is encouraging, I am seeking independent assurance that this is in fact the result of a crackdown rather than any rise in serious systemic concerns,” a statement from Early Education Minister Prue Carr said.