The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has raised serious concerns in Parliament about the Allan Labor Government’s failure to act on child safety.
During debate on new laws around Working With Children Checks, Ms Cleeland said Labor had ignored key warnings for far too long.
“When it comes to the safety of children, there is no room for delay, no excuse for inaction, and no justification for failure,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Every parent who drops their child at school, childcare, or sport has the right to trust that their child is safe.
“Every child has the right to grow up free from harm. Yet time and again, this Labor Government has failed in that most basic duty.”
Ms Cleeland pointed to the Victorian Ombudsman’s 2022 report, which found Victoria had one of the weakest Working With Children Check systems in the country.
“For three years, Labor ignored those recommendations. Loopholes stayed open, leaving Victorian children at serious risk,” she said.
Ms Cleeland contrasted that with the Liberals and Nationals’ approach.
“Just last month, we introduced a bill that strengthened Working With Children Checks and went further than the Ombudsman recommended,” she said.
“Labor voted it down. Once again, they put politics ahead of the safety of Victorian kids. Parents deserve more than excuses – they deserve certainty.”