NSW Government to run parliamentary inquiry in the wake of Four Corners investigation

A parliamentary inquiry has been called into the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector in the wake of an ABC investigation which exposed what producers describe as “regulatory failures and serious safety breaches.”

Since the program aired, the ABC reports, “hundreds” of insiders and whistleblowers have come forward, with grave concerns about the state of Australia’s ECEC sector.  

The New South Wales Upper House Committee met on the evening of Thursday 20 March 2025, unanimously calling for an inquiry. 

To be chaired by Greens MP Abigail Boyd, the inquiry aims to scrutinise the performance of the NSW regulator, which some experts say is not fit for purpose.

The terms of reference also include looking into the health and safety of children in ECEC, the quality of services and the pay and conditions of the workforce.

“Monday’s Four Corners exposé has sparked an outpouring of public support for urgent action on the failures in our early learning system,” Ms Boyd said.

“The level of motivation is extremely high — people are demanding answers, and I’m committed to getting them.”

She went on to describe the process of leaving one’s child with an early learning service as “an enormous act of trust,” but also one which “doesn’t need to be a blind leap of faith.” 

“Families deserve transparency and accountability, and that’s what a parliamentary investigation can help to deliver,” Boyd added. 

Submissions to the inquiry will remain open until the end of May, with public hearings scheduled for August, September and October in Sydney and regional NSW.

The announcement of the inquiry comes as further documents were released in response to a parliamentary order, outlining issues dating back to 2010. 

The inquiry will have broad investigative powers, including the ability to call senior executives from childcare companies, parents, experts and peak bodies to provide evidence, and follows a decision by the NSW Government two weeks ago to launch an internal inquiry into the regulatory authority, which Ms Boyd said was “designed to deflect a standing order 52.”

The request was made in November but Ms Boyd said she has had “significant pushback,” which culminated in Ms Boyd passing a censure motion earlier this week calling for the release of the documents.

The government now has 14 days to comply and release the files or face further sanction. Ms Boyd said she has seen some of the documents, which are sitting in privilege boxes, and wants them released publicly.

To read the original coverage of this story please see here.