Greens launch plan seeking an independent ECEC commission 

In response to the recent ABC’s Four Corners report The Australian Greens Party have launched a plan to  urgently establish an independent Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Commission to strictly enforce quality standards and protect children.

The Greens’ ECEC Commission, modeled on regulatory bodies like the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), will work with states and territories to guarantee that every child can receive safe, high-quality care.

The Commission would also be tasked with driving universal, free childcare (sic.) and act as a central hub for research, monitoring, and evaluation. Funding for high-quality public and not-for-profit providers would be prioritised, a statement from the party notes. 

The establishment of an independent commission is a key recommendation of the 2024 Productivity Commission’s inquiry into universal ECEC, but is yet to be actioned by the Government. 

The Green’s plan for an ECEC Commission is fully costed and will be established with an initial investment of $1.5 billion over the forward estimates.

“The Greens plan for an ECEC Commission will, for the first time, give a national body the power to crack down on rogue operators and shut down unsafe centres. Centres where we have heard instances of severe abuse, mistreatment of staff and hazardous conditions for children,” Greens early childhood education and care spokesperson, Senator Steph Hodgins-May said.

Commenting on the current childcare subsidy (CCS) model Ms Hodgins-May described it as “a broken system” adding that it is “unacceptable that there is currently no consistent and enforceable mechanism to ensure safety and quality in early childhood education.”

“The Greens’ ECEC Commission will not only guarantee families that their kids’ safety is protected but also lay a clear path to universal, free early childhood education,” she added.