Labor's big pledge after childcare horror
The pledge came after detectives arrested and charged a 26-year-old man in relation to allegations of child sexual abuse at a Melbourne childcare centre.
He was a worker at the centre and had a working with children check (WWCC).
Mr Clare said on Thursday that if the allegations were proven true, then 'the system has failed these families'. Education Minister Jason Clare wants to cut federal funds to childcare centres that 'aren't up to scratch' on children's safety. Nikki Short / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
'It has taken too long for governments to act,' he told Seven's Sunrise.
'This is sickening and it demands serious action. We've already taken action around mobile phones in childcare centres and mandatory reporting.
'But there's more that we have to do – there's a lot more we have to do.'
Mr Clare said he would not hesitate to 'cut off' federal funds to childcare centres that failed to keep children safe.
'Parliament returns later this month – I'll introduce a piece of legislation in the (first) fortnight that will cut funding to childcare centres that aren't up to scratch when it comes to safety of the children,' he said.
'The big weapon that the federal government has to wield here is the funding that we provide to childcare centres.
'It equates to about 70 per cent of the funding that runs a centre and if they're not keeping our kids safe, then we need to cut off their funding.'
He added there needed 'to be consequences'. A childcare worker has been charged with more than 70 offences relating to child sexual abuse. David Crosling / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
Police in Victoria earlier this week arrested and charged Joshua Dale Brown with more than 70 offences, including child rape and possession of child abuse material.
On Wednesday, police charged a second man, Michael Simon Wilson, 36, with offences relating to child abuse material.
Court documents showed the two men were known to each other but not how.
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