Details of a recommended childcare safety overhaul are set to be released by the Victorian government today after disturbing abuse charges raised serious community concerns.
00:01Well this is something that a lot of Victorian parents would be waiting for.
00:06You'll remember that very distressing news back in June when a Melbourne childcare worker was charged
00:12with more than 70 child sexual abuse offences, prompting the testing of hundreds of children.
00:19And of course at the time we heard that the eight alleged victims were aged between just five months and two years of age.
00:27Now as a result of that the government ordered a rapid review.
00:31This review headed by the former South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and also a senior public servant
00:37to look into the childcare system.
00:40And as a result of that we now have that report being handed over to the government.
00:47There is a special cabinet meeting being held this morning that's been ordered by the Premier Jacinta Allen
00:53and we are expecting them to sign off on these recommended changes to the childcare system.
01:00But since June we have obviously seen quite a string of failures in the childcare system
01:06that have been revealed by the ABC.
01:08Including just recently a childcare worker who was able to continue to keep his working with children childcare permit
01:16despite being fired by a centre for allegedly kissing toddlers.
01:21Now the government has already moved in this space.
01:24They have promised things like being able to ban mobile phones being used by childcare workers in centres.
01:32Also forcing the installation of CCTV security cameras in centres.
01:37As well as moves to set up a registry of childcare workers.
01:41But the Premier Jacinta Allen has promised that these recommendations by the rapid review will be adopted in full.
01:48Now once cabinet does decide to sign off on these recommendations and these changes Gemma.
01:55We are expecting to see the findings being released to the public.
01:59And hopefully they will provide some answers to many parents out there who just simply want to make sure that their children are safe when it comes to childcare settings.
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