Neighbours star Madeleine West calls for Australian parents to receive child care subsidies from the government in wake of daycare abuse scandal
The former Neighbours actress, 47, recently birthed her seventh child and on Friday, weighed in on the fiery debate surrounding child care centres in the wake of Joshua Dale Brown's arrest.
The Melbourne child care worker, 26, has been charged with 70 offences, including sexual penetration of a child, producing child abuse material and recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety. The latter charge refers to alleged contamination of food with bodily fluids.
His arrest triggered a public health alert, with Victoria's Chief Health Officer warning that 1,200 children should get STI testing.
'I'm just heading to work. I take my baby with me. I have from the beginning. So far, it's worked out. But it won't always and it doesn't work out for everyone,' Madeleine began in a video posted to Instagram.
'But I just had a brain wave. I qualify for the child care subsidy. So, why don't we cut out the middle man here? How about the government gives me the money instead of subsidising daycare?'
'And I stay home with my kids.'
Madeleine widened her eyes and made a shocked sigh to emphasise her point as she bounced her newborn on her chest.
'I know it sounds simplistic but the simple fact is, if there is no access, there is no abuse.'
From January 2026, Australian parents will have access to three days of guaranteed subsidised childcare after Labour brought the new laws forward ahead of the federal election.
The 'three-day guarantee', first introduced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in December, will remove the current activity test and guarantee subsidies for families earning up to $530,000 per year.
Madeleine lives in Suffolk Park, Byron Bay, where she purchased a $4.6million property in 2022.
The actress turned child safety and victims' advocate moved to the coastal area to be closer to her six children after her breakup with celebrity chef Shannon Bennett.
Previously, she and Shannon lived together in a $16million Melbourne mega-mansion, which they purchased after selling two other lavish properties for $7.7m and $5m respectively.
Her call to action proved to be divisive.
'I know you mean well, but shaming working parents by implying you are given abusers access is not OK. Abusers are everywhere (sadly mostly in the home),' one annoyed parent wrote.
'Yes! Let's make raising our own children the norm again,' one supporter commented, with working mothers quick to criticise the notion that all women should stay at home.
'Oh please,' another retorted.
'You aren't the odd one out. Some mothers enjoy working for their mental health. Some mothers have to work for economic reasons. Women are allowed to be mothers as well as retain their ambition and identities outside of the home.'
Even parents who backed Madeleine's call for the direct payments voiced their reservations about writing off daycare centres altogether.
'Excellent idea,' one dad said. 'Also, hate to be THAT guy but some kids receive their best care at daycare. Socialising with other kids, clean nappies, consistent meals… could you imagine those terrible parents who don't care about their kids getting more money to stay home and neglect their children? There are bad people everywhere. At home and at work. I see it too often in my line of work. But not discounting your idea which I'd love for my wife.'
Madeleine's call to action proved to be divisive, with some parents voicing concerns about putting the onus on mothers to give up their careers in favour of child rearing
Madeleine's post comes after Louise Edmonds, a founding member of the Independent Collective of Survivors and Karl Stefanovic exchanged a war of words on the topic.
She appeared on Today on Thursday, advocating for a complete ban on male workers in the childcare sector.
Stefanovic pushed back, highlighting the challenges already faced by men in the sector: 'Men have a right to work in that area. And so many of them are dedicated,' he said.
'The perception is already hard enough for them. And when a story like this happens, it makes it even more difficult.'
Ms Edmonds argued while there are 'good men' that want to be positive role models, the safety of children must come before concerns about gender equality.
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