Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025; Second Reading

Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The Senate debated legislation to strengthen Commonwealth oversight of early childhood education and care services, primarily by linking Child Care Subsidy funding to safety and quality compliance. The government introduced the bill to allow the suspension or cancellation of subsidies for non-compliant providers and to expand transparency measures. The Opposition supported the bill but urged the government to coordinate with states on broader reforms, including national working-with-children checks and a worker register. The Greens supported the bill but moved an amendment calling for an independent commission and universal care, arguing the current system is profit-driven and under-resourced. The debate concluded with the Greens' amendment pending, as the session was interrupted before a vote.

Outcome

The debate was interrupted before the Greens' amendment was put to a vote.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Tim Ayres (NSW) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Ayres moved the second reading, stating the bill empowers the Commonwealth to cut off Child Care Subsidy funding to providers failing to meet safety and quality standards. Ayres explained that the legislation allows the Secretary of the Department to impose conditions, suspend approvals, or cancel them based on compliance history. Ayres noted the bill expands the Enforcement Action Register to publish details of sanctions and refusals of new services, improving transparency for parents. Ayres also highlighted new powers for authorised officers to conduct unannounced spot checks without warrants to detect fraud and non-compliance. Ayres emphasised that the goal was to raise standards rather than shut down centres, while acknowledging further work was needed on national educator registers and working-with-children checks.

Opposition response

Jonathon Duniam (TAS) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Duniam announced the Opposition would support the bill, praising the government's professional engagement and urgency. Duniam endorsed the measures linking subsidy eligibility to quality and safety, expanding transparency, and enabling unannounced inspections. Duniam argued that while the bill was a positive step, Commonwealth powers were limited and significant reforms required state and territory cooperation. Duniam called for a national approach to working-with-children checks, a national educator register to track worker history, and mandatory CCTV in centres. Duniam stressed that the issue was above politics and required bipartisan effort to address systemic gaps in child protection.