Victoria has had a new IVF watchdog for six months. So far, it has not taken any action
'You can have all the penalties available that you want, but unless there's proper regulation happening – like people actually going out and looking into these things and using those enforcement measures – they don't really mean a lot,' Mansfield said.
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'The Victorian government has responsibility now for regulation of the IVF industry. It is up to them to restore Victorians' trust in the system and in their ability to provide that regulation. What Victorians want to know is that everything will be done to avoid incidents like [the wrong embryos being implanted] happening again.
'Providing transparency around adverse incidents, and the consequence of those incidents, is a really important part of rebuilding that trust.'
A Premier's Department spokesperson said that because the question on notice had been asked at a June 10 hearing of the parliamentary accounts and estimates committee, its response did not take into account Monash IVF's disclosure on the same day that it had mistakenly implanted the wrong embryo into a woman at its Clayton clinic.
But the response does cover the April disclosure that a woman had given birth to a stranger's baby following an embryo mix-up at Monash IVF's Brisbane clinic. Following that bungle, Victoria's Health Department requested information from its Queensland counterpart before renewing licences for Monash IVF's Victorian clinics from April 30.
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The Health Department spokesperson said an investigation had been launched into the Clayton embryo bungle, but neither the department nor Thomas' office would comment about actions being undertaken by the VHR.
Australian Fertility Treatment Families founder Michelle Galea said she was extremely concerned, but not surprised, that the new regulator was yet to undertake any enforcement action.
She said the government had been too quick to shut down the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority.
'They rushed this thing through by shutting VARTA down at the end of the year,' Galea said. 'It takes time to implement new strategies, new employees, new legislation.
'It was winding down and there was no transition period, so I'd be very surprised if there was any actual regulation getting done in the last six months of last year.'
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The Advertiser
33 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Push for safety check overhaul to protect children
Calls are growing for changes to safety checks for people working with children after a childcare worker was charged with more than 70 sex offences against toddlers and babies. The charges laid against Joshua Dale Brown, 26, include sexual penetration of a child under 12, attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12 and producing child abuse material. They relate to eight victims aged between five months and two years old, who were enrolled at a childcare centre in Point Cook in Melbourne's west between April 2022 and January 2023. Brown has worked at about 20 facilities since 2017, and health authorities are urging the parents of 1200 children to get them tested for unspecified infectious diseases as a precaution. Families with children at the centres Brown worked at have reported long wait times to access support and health information from a government hotline. Federal Housing Minister Clare O'Neil was among the worried parents seeking information after the news broke on Tuesday. "I was so panicked yesterday, looking on that list to see if any of my kids have been affected in any of these centres," Ms O'Neil told Seven's Sunrise program on Wednesday. "There is going to be a very fierce and appropriate discussion about what needs to change to ensure this kind of thing does not happen again." Brown was not known to Victoria Police until the start of the investigation, and there were no formal complaints against him. He had a valid working with children check. The checks are in urgent need of an overhaul, according to advocates for sexual assault survivors and children. Industry body Early Learning Association Australia, the charity Act for Kids and Scouts Australia are among those pushing for nationwide changes. "We have found that a charge in one jurisdiction - even if it is dismissed - can prohibit an applicant from receiving a card there, but not in another," Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner Brendan Watson said. "There is little doubt that the protection of children would be enhanced if we had one national system with all jurisdictions' information being shared." The checks only work if someone has already been found guilty of child abuse, Sexual Assault Services Victoria chief executive Kathleen Maltzahn explained. "Evidence of abuse or concerning behaviour that hasn't resulted in criminal charges or disciplinary action (should be) considered," she told AAP. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has committed to strengthening safeguards in the state, but the case has clearly raised broader concerns. Parent advocate group The Parenthood has ramped up calls for a national early childhood watchdog, while the Greens are pushing for a royal commission into the childcare sector. State, territory and federal education ministers recently backed a national safety rules overhaul, including stricter conditions around photography and mandatory reporting. But advocates want more, with Ms Maltzahn calling for a rethink of how centres secure children's bathrooms and potentially introducing a national register for staff. Victorian Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said federal reforms are moving too slowly and the government would develop its own register of childcare workers. "Teachers are already required to be registered with the Victorian Institute of Teachers, (but early childhood) educators are not," she said. Federal Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh said the Labor government supported Victoria and NSW pushing ahead with reforms, while the commonwealth worked with all jurisdictions on changes, including nationwide registration. Legislation that would allow the government to cut subsidies to centres due to safety breaches is due to be introduced to federal parliament within months. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Calls are growing for changes to safety checks for people working with children after a childcare worker was charged with more than 70 sex offences against toddlers and babies. The charges laid against Joshua Dale Brown, 26, include sexual penetration of a child under 12, attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12 and producing child abuse material. They relate to eight victims aged between five months and two years old, who were enrolled at a childcare centre in Point Cook in Melbourne's west between April 2022 and January 2023. Brown has worked at about 20 facilities since 2017, and health authorities are urging the parents of 1200 children to get them tested for unspecified infectious diseases as a precaution. Families with children at the centres Brown worked at have reported long wait times to access support and health information from a government hotline. Federal Housing Minister Clare O'Neil was among the worried parents seeking information after the news broke on Tuesday. "I was so panicked yesterday, looking on that list to see if any of my kids have been affected in any of these centres," Ms O'Neil told Seven's Sunrise program on Wednesday. "There is going to be a very fierce and appropriate discussion about what needs to change to ensure this kind of thing does not happen again." Brown was not known to Victoria Police until the start of the investigation, and there were no formal complaints against him. He had a valid working with children check. The checks are in urgent need of an overhaul, according to advocates for sexual assault survivors and children. Industry body Early Learning Association Australia, the charity Act for Kids and Scouts Australia are among those pushing for nationwide changes. "We have found that a charge in one jurisdiction - even if it is dismissed - can prohibit an applicant from receiving a card there, but not in another," Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner Brendan Watson said. "There is little doubt that the protection of children would be enhanced if we had one national system with all jurisdictions' information being shared." The checks only work if someone has already been found guilty of child abuse, Sexual Assault Services Victoria chief executive Kathleen Maltzahn explained. "Evidence of abuse or concerning behaviour that hasn't resulted in criminal charges or disciplinary action (should be) considered," she told AAP. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has committed to strengthening safeguards in the state, but the case has clearly raised broader concerns. Parent advocate group The Parenthood has ramped up calls for a national early childhood watchdog, while the Greens are pushing for a royal commission into the childcare sector. State, territory and federal education ministers recently backed a national safety rules overhaul, including stricter conditions around photography and mandatory reporting. But advocates want more, with Ms Maltzahn calling for a rethink of how centres secure children's bathrooms and potentially introducing a national register for staff. Victorian Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said federal reforms are moving too slowly and the government would develop its own register of childcare workers. "Teachers are already required to be registered with the Victorian Institute of Teachers, (but early childhood) educators are not," she said. Federal Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh said the Labor government supported Victoria and NSW pushing ahead with reforms, while the commonwealth worked with all jurisdictions on changes, including nationwide registration. Legislation that would allow the government to cut subsidies to centres due to safety breaches is due to be introduced to federal parliament within months. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Calls are growing for changes to safety checks for people working with children after a childcare worker was charged with more than 70 sex offences against toddlers and babies. The charges laid against Joshua Dale Brown, 26, include sexual penetration of a child under 12, attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12 and producing child abuse material. They relate to eight victims aged between five months and two years old, who were enrolled at a childcare centre in Point Cook in Melbourne's west between April 2022 and January 2023. Brown has worked at about 20 facilities since 2017, and health authorities are urging the parents of 1200 children to get them tested for unspecified infectious diseases as a precaution. Families with children at the centres Brown worked at have reported long wait times to access support and health information from a government hotline. Federal Housing Minister Clare O'Neil was among the worried parents seeking information after the news broke on Tuesday. "I was so panicked yesterday, looking on that list to see if any of my kids have been affected in any of these centres," Ms O'Neil told Seven's Sunrise program on Wednesday. "There is going to be a very fierce and appropriate discussion about what needs to change to ensure this kind of thing does not happen again." Brown was not known to Victoria Police until the start of the investigation, and there were no formal complaints against him. He had a valid working with children check. The checks are in urgent need of an overhaul, according to advocates for sexual assault survivors and children. Industry body Early Learning Association Australia, the charity Act for Kids and Scouts Australia are among those pushing for nationwide changes. "We have found that a charge in one jurisdiction - even if it is dismissed - can prohibit an applicant from receiving a card there, but not in another," Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner Brendan Watson said. "There is little doubt that the protection of children would be enhanced if we had one national system with all jurisdictions' information being shared." The checks only work if someone has already been found guilty of child abuse, Sexual Assault Services Victoria chief executive Kathleen Maltzahn explained. "Evidence of abuse or concerning behaviour that hasn't resulted in criminal charges or disciplinary action (should be) considered," she told AAP. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has committed to strengthening safeguards in the state, but the case has clearly raised broader concerns. Parent advocate group The Parenthood has ramped up calls for a national early childhood watchdog, while the Greens are pushing for a royal commission into the childcare sector. State, territory and federal education ministers recently backed a national safety rules overhaul, including stricter conditions around photography and mandatory reporting. But advocates want more, with Ms Maltzahn calling for a rethink of how centres secure children's bathrooms and potentially introducing a national register for staff. Victorian Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said federal reforms are moving too slowly and the government would develop its own register of childcare workers. "Teachers are already required to be registered with the Victorian Institute of Teachers, (but early childhood) educators are not," she said. Federal Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh said the Labor government supported Victoria and NSW pushing ahead with reforms, while the commonwealth worked with all jurisdictions on changes, including nationwide registration. Legislation that would allow the government to cut subsidies to centres due to safety breaches is due to be introduced to federal parliament within months. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Calls are growing for changes to safety checks for people working with children after a childcare worker was charged with more than 70 sex offences against toddlers and babies. The charges laid against Joshua Dale Brown, 26, include sexual penetration of a child under 12, attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12 and producing child abuse material. They relate to eight victims aged between five months and two years old, who were enrolled at a childcare centre in Point Cook in Melbourne's west between April 2022 and January 2023. Brown has worked at about 20 facilities since 2017, and health authorities are urging the parents of 1200 children to get them tested for unspecified infectious diseases as a precaution. Families with children at the centres Brown worked at have reported long wait times to access support and health information from a government hotline. Federal Housing Minister Clare O'Neil was among the worried parents seeking information after the news broke on Tuesday. "I was so panicked yesterday, looking on that list to see if any of my kids have been affected in any of these centres," Ms O'Neil told Seven's Sunrise program on Wednesday. "There is going to be a very fierce and appropriate discussion about what needs to change to ensure this kind of thing does not happen again." Brown was not known to Victoria Police until the start of the investigation, and there were no formal complaints against him. He had a valid working with children check. The checks are in urgent need of an overhaul, according to advocates for sexual assault survivors and children. Industry body Early Learning Association Australia, the charity Act for Kids and Scouts Australia are among those pushing for nationwide changes. "We have found that a charge in one jurisdiction - even if it is dismissed - can prohibit an applicant from receiving a card there, but not in another," Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner Brendan Watson said. "There is little doubt that the protection of children would be enhanced if we had one national system with all jurisdictions' information being shared." The checks only work if someone has already been found guilty of child abuse, Sexual Assault Services Victoria chief executive Kathleen Maltzahn explained. "Evidence of abuse or concerning behaviour that hasn't resulted in criminal charges or disciplinary action (should be) considered," she told AAP. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has committed to strengthening safeguards in the state, but the case has clearly raised broader concerns. Parent advocate group The Parenthood has ramped up calls for a national early childhood watchdog, while the Greens are pushing for a royal commission into the childcare sector. State, territory and federal education ministers recently backed a national safety rules overhaul, including stricter conditions around photography and mandatory reporting. But advocates want more, with Ms Maltzahn calling for a rethink of how centres secure children's bathrooms and potentially introducing a national register for staff. Victorian Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said federal reforms are moving too slowly and the government would develop its own register of childcare workers. "Teachers are already required to be registered with the Victorian Institute of Teachers, (but early childhood) educators are not," she said. Federal Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh said the Labor government supported Victoria and NSW pushing ahead with reforms, while the commonwealth worked with all jurisdictions on changes, including nationwide registration. Legislation that would allow the government to cut subsidies to centres due to safety breaches is due to be introduced to federal parliament within months. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Canberra Times
5 hours ago
- Canberra Times
Unit owners in outer suburbs most affected by fixed levies, new mapping reveals
"The Greens have been really clear with the ACT Labor government, a flat health levy does not take into account a person's ability to pay and does not reflect the type of city we want to build. It will unfairly impact a lot of people in our community," Green leader Shane Rattenbury said in a statement on Monday afternoon.
The Age
10 hours ago
- The Age
Horror as 1000 children to be tested for STIs. Here's what comes next
The decision to mass-test children – at testing centres across the metro area – came after Brown tested positive for an STI, according to two police sources not authorised to comment. A Health Department spokeswoman said the department would not comment on the specifics of suspected exposure to protect children's sensitive health information. A government source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said authorities wanted to rule out the possibility that the children had been exposed to infections such as syphilis given the spike in Victorian cases over the last decade. How long will parents have to wait? Dr Nisha Khot, the vice president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said parents should know their child's health status relatively quickly. Loading 'STI screening results usually only take 24 to 48 hours, depending on what test is done,' she said. Khot said Victoria's health system had the capacity to conduct the tests the Health Department is urging for the children, but that the bigger question was ongoing support for alleged victims and their families. 'The children will need appropriately qualified clinicians to assess their needs beyond the tests.' The state government has established a dedicated advice hotline to assist families with health and screening information, as well as link them to specialist services such as mental health support. Will any infections be treatable? Doctors who spoke to this masthead said most STIs could be treated with antibiotics delivered either orally or administered as an injection. Khot said the exceptions were Hepatitis B and HIV, which can be managed with other treatments but not cured. If left untreated, gonorrhea, for example, can lead to permanent health problems involving scar tissue, long-term pain and infertility. Late-stage syphilis can cause brain damage, heart disease and even blindness. But Chief Health Officer Dr Christian McGrath said on Tuesday that affected families and the broader community could be reassured that any infections as a result of this case could be treated with antibiotics. 'There's no broader public health risk to the community,' he said. A suburban GP, who declined to be named due to the sensitivities of the matter, said childcare workers at the centres and police working on the case should monitor their mood over the next few weeks and speak to family, friends or a doctor if they notice any changes.
