Greens call for Royal Commission following Four Corners report 

The Australian Greens party are calling for a Royal Commission into Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector in light of Monday night’s  Four Corners’ report which highlighted issues in the sector including instances of serious abuse, staff misconduct, and allegations of over-enrolment. 

“The Prime Minister can’t keep ignoring the alarm bells that are ringing so loudly within the childcare (sic.) sector. It’s time for a serious overhaul,”  Greens early childhood education spokesperson, Senator Steph Hodgins-May said.

“The Greens are urging the government to initiate a Royal Commission, like was done with the crisis in the aged care system, to make sure that every childcare centre in the country is operating safely for both the kids in care as well as the staff.”

“The reports we know about are likely just the tip of the iceberg. A Royal Commission into privatised early childhood education would bring to light the extent of the problem, and help pave the way for reform.”

“The current system is riddled with problems after years of neglect and marketisation of policy—it is too expensive, inaccessible and, at times, even harmful,” she continued.

“The Greens believe in free universal education for all—right through from children to university—but we recognise a low-cost flat fee of $10 a day would be a significant improvement on the current approach.”