The Centre for Policy Development has welcomed today’s introduction of child safety legislation into parliament, but urged the government to go further by staying the course on broader reforms to create a truly universal early education and care (ECEC) system.
While suspending or cutting off funding to providers that fail to meet minimum standards is likely to have a positive effect on safety and quality in the short-term, many of the broader issues affecting childcare in Australia are a direct result of the marketised approach to the system and require far more substantial reform.
“Stronger penalties for unsafe providers are important, but they won’t fix a system that was never designed to put children first,” said Andrew Hudson, CEO of the Centre for Policy Development.
“For too long, early childhood education has operated as a private market – leaving governments with limited tools to manage quality, access, or safety across the system. That’s what needs to change.”
CPD’s research has consistently shown that a universal ECEC system – built on supply-side funding, low set-fees for parents, more centres and educators, and stronger governance – would be safer, more affordable, and higher quality than the current system.
“The government knows it needs to take a stronger role in managing essential services. Multiple inquiries and royal commissions – in aged care, employment services and now childcare – have told us as much.”
“Systemic reform will take time and investment – but the alternative is to keep pouring billions into a model that doesn’t meet the needs of children and families.”
CPD is calling on the government to use this moment as a catalyst for long-term, transformative reform – turning a system marked by high fees, educator shortages and quality concerns into one that delivers affordable, accessible and high quality care for every child, in every community.
