Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
New timetable delivers increased bus frequency – Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
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The ACT Government is delivering an early election commitment with a new bus network uplift as part of our practical plan for public transport in Canberra.
This new timetable will support more rapid, local and school services from Monday 28 April 2025, the start of term 2.
The uplift aligns with the opening of Australia’s largest all-electric bus depot in Woden as network benefits and efficiencies are realised from this nation leading infrastructure.
There will also be more services for the growing Molonglo region. Rapid services between Denman and the city will start earlier, at 6:05 am, and now run every 15-minutes through the day.
Local services connecting Denman, Whitlam and Belconnen will also start earlier and run nearly three hours later, providing hourly frequency from 6 am – 10 pm with 30-minute frequency during the pm peak.
Additional services for popular routes between Belconnen and the city, and Woden and the city will see buses running more frequently during high demand periods.
Weekdays
Additional Rapid 2 services between Belconnen and the city – 10 extra services in AM peak and 4 extra services in PM peak
Additional Rapid 4 services between Woden and the city – 4 extra services in AM peak and 3 extra services in PM peak
Additional Rapid 10 services between Molonglo and the city – 3 extra services in AM peak and extending 15-minute frequency to all day
Additional Rapid 3 services from the Canberra Airport to the city in the evening
Additional route 47 services between Molonglo and Belconnen – 6 extra trips across AM and PM peaks
Additional route 66 services between Woden and Molonglo
Weekends
Additional Saturday route 47 services between Molonglo and Belconnen – 1 extra service in AM and 2 extra services in PM
An additional Saturday route 46 service between Kippax and Belconnen in PM
Schools There will also be a range of improvements to help students get to various schools. This includes additional services and refining routes so they provide better coverage to surrounding suburbs.
Some services are also being adjusted to better align with bell times based on school community feedback. A full outline of service improvements to schools is available on the Transport Canberra website.
Attribute to Minister for Transport Chris Steel: “This new timetable delivers key parts of Labor’s plan for more frequent local and rapid services that we took to the election.
“We can do this because we have built Australia’s largest all-electric bus depot in Woden which has increased the efficiency of the whole public transport network.
“We’ve heard from the community that some buses are full on certain routes, and we’ve responded by increasing frequency on these routes to meet demand.”
More information for students and families will be provided closer to the start of Term 2 services.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Celebrate Harmony Week: unite to embrace diversity and combat racism across Australia – Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
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This year, from March 17 to 23, communities across Australia will come together to celebrate the vibrant tapestry of our multicultural nation during Harmony Week.
The week-long celebration will feature a variety of events, all aimed at fostering inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
“Our cultural diversity is one of Australia’s greatest strengths, showcasing our commitment to multiculturalism, respect, and belonging for all, regardless of cultural or linguistic background,” said Minister for Multicultural Affairs Michael Pettersson.
“As the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, I am excited to celebrate Harmony Week with you and reflect on how each of us can do more together to stamp out racism,” said Minister Pettersson.
“We should all take the day as an opportunity to focus on the urgency of combatting racism wherever and whenever it arises,” said Minister Pettersson.
The ACT Government is dedicated to fostering a harmonious and unified community where everyone feels included, respected, and valued, regardless of their background or experiences. This commitment is enshrined in the Charter for Multiculturalism under the Multiculturalism Act 2023.
“I am proud that in the ACT, we have introduced a new positive duty for organisations to eliminate discrimination, sexual harassment, and unlawful vilification.
“This is a crucial step towards ensuring that everyone in our community feels welcome and has the same opportunities to participate in and contribute to the life of our city,” said Minister Pettersson.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
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Released 17/03/2025
Six local emergency service members have been recognised for their contributions to the Canberra community, with each receiving an ACT Community Protection Medal at a ceremony today.
The Community Protection Medal was established in 2002 to acknowledge police and emergency services members who have made sustained and distinguished or outstanding service to the community.
The medals are awarded each year, with Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson presenting medals to the recipients during a ceremony at Regatta Point today.
Minister Paterson said that these six recipients embodied the best of our emergency service staff and volunteers.
“I’m deeply impressed by the unwavering dedication of the people in these agencies in ensuring the safety and well-being of our community,” said Dr. Paterson.
“Today’s award recipients are being acknowledged for their excellence in training, response, membership, and health and wellbeing, and they should all should be very proud of their work.”
“They are true examples of the outstanding individuals within our emergency services. In times of crisis, they are the people who step up. We have seen this recently with our personnel heading to Queensland.”
“We also extend our gratitude to the families for their ongoing support. The commitment, the deployments, and the overnight and public holiday shifts is what allows us to live in a safe and secure city.”
“To the six award recipients, on behalf of the ACT community and the ACT Government, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and thank you for your service.”
The six recipients of the 2024 ACT Community Protection Medal are:
Michael Caldwell, ACT Ambulance Service
In recognition of his commitment to the provision and improvement of professional pre-hospital emergency services within the ACT Ambulance Service Communication Centre. During his 14-year career with the Service, Michael has progressed through the Communications Centre as a call taker, to now being the Coordination Officer. His leadership and experience has assisted in building the knowledge of the team around him, ensuring the Canberra community have call-takers who can respond effectively in times of need.
Commander Guy Cassis, ACT Fire and Rescue
In recognition of his distinguished and outstanding contribution to community safety through the awareness and promotion of firefighter health, safety and wellbeing. Throughout his 22-year career, Commander Cassis has dedicated his time, over and above that required of his regular duties, to develop and improve process and procedure around firefighter safety, including being a Peer Support Officer and Health and Safety Representative.
Mr Colin Dawes, ACT Emergency Services Agency
In recognition of his leadership within ESA for almost 20 years. Whether an emergency event or day-to-day operations, Colin consistently provides outstanding service, working tirelessly to deliver aid and support to the Services as they respond and help the community. During the most recent emergency events of fire, smoke, storm, and the pandemic, Colin proved himself to be an adaptable, reliable, competent, and compassionate leader, colleague, and mentor.
Detective Sergeant Lauren Gilliland, ACT Policing
In recognition of her sustained distinguished and outstanding service to the ACT community over the past 15 years as an extremely highly regarded and effective police officer, instructor, mentor, and role model. Detective Sergeant Gilliland’s work has revolutionised the delivery of training and investigations into sexual offences and child abuse in the ACT and is now recognised internationally as best practice. Detective Sergeant Gilliland has had a major positive contribution to the lives of numerous victims in Canberra and is an exemplary police officer in every regard.
Commander Adam Hartnett, ACT State Emergency Service
Adam has significantly increased membership participation and ensured robust ready team for emergency callouts. His active participation in all aspects of the SES, from frontline operations to training and community engagement exemplifies his commitment to service. Adam has fostered a culture of preparedness and resilience, ensuring his team is always ready to provide critical assistance to the ACT community during storms, floods and land searches.
Ms Nicola Lewis, ACT Rural Fire Service
In recognition of her sustained service to training and recruitment across the ACT Rural Fire Service. For the past 15 years Nicola has provided outstanding service to individual and collective training, recruitment, and provided administration and operational support to the Service. During her service, Nicola has served as the Gungahlin Brigade Training Coordinator and has coordinated 10 firefighter courses. She has also been the lead assessor across courses and her knowledge and wisdom will shape the next generation of firefighters within the ACT Community.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
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Released 17/03/2025
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the ACT School Volunteer Program, through which hundreds of individuals have volunteered as mentors to ACT public school students in our primary and secondary schools.
So many Canberrans have benefited from the generous contribution of these volunteers, who provide an extra tier of support for students through their conversation and connection.
In 2024 alone, more than 135 mentors volunteered across 40 schools. The volunteers typically meet weekly with their mentees, engaging with them through one-on-one activities to support literacy and numeracy, or by collaborating with them on craft, cooking, Meccano or Lego projects.
The Program recruits, trains and manages the volunteers in partnership with the ACT Education Directorate, with the latter providing facilities and support at the Headley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning for training of mentors and committee members.
The volunteers share insights gained through their own lives and boost confidence and attitudes to learning through conversation and connection.
Some mentors have been with the Program since it began, returning each year to continue this invaluable work.
I thank all of the volunteers, including past and present committee members, for their contribution to the success of the Program.
I also acknowledge Directorate staff who have provided training and advice to the volunteer mentors to support the enrichment opportunities they offer our students.
Quotes attributable to Ms Nola Shoring, President of the School Volunteer Program ACT:
“I’m delighted the Governor General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn, a past ACT public school student herself, will join us for the ACT School Volunteer Program’s anniversary celebrations.
“The then Governor-General, the late Major General Michael Jeffery, officially launched the Program at North Ainslie Primary School in 2005, so it is wonderful and fitting that Her Excellency can join us to celebrate the impact of each of our volunteers over the past two decades.
“I’d like to thank the ACT Education Directorate for its continuing commitment to our close working partnership, and the busy principals and teachers who have made space in their programs for our volunteers – it is at the schools that the magic happens.
“I’d especially like to recognise the students who have embraced the opportunities this very special intergenerational Program has provided.
“Each one of our mentors has valued the opportunity to help make a difference in these young people’s lives, and has in turn benefited greatly from the interactions they have shared.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
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Released 17/03/2025
Canberrans can enjoy a new level of environmental protection from today as the Territory’s right to a healthy environment takes effect in the Human Rights Act2004.
The ACT is the first Australian jurisdiction to enshrine this vital human right in legislation.
The right to a healthy environment encompasses the right to clean air, a safe climate, access to safe water and adequate sanitation, healthy and sustainably produced food, non-toxic environments to live, work, study, and play, and healthy biodiversity and ecosystems.
It also includes the right to access information on environmental matters, participate in environmental decision-making, and seek access to justice where the right may be breached. The inclusion of the right will also ensure environmental and climate considerations feature in ACT public authority functions and decision-making.
Canberrans can make a complaint to the ACT Human Rights Commission if they believe the right to a healthy environment has been breached or not considered in a decision by a public authority.
Quotes attributable Tara Cheyne, Minister for Human Rights.
“The ACT continues to be a leader in human rights, and this right takes a ground-breaking step forward for human rights legislation reform in Australia.
“The right to a healthy environment is recognised in law internationally, but this is the first time it has been recognised in Australia.
“Our community is facing pressing challenges from climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss each of which poses serious risks to other human rights, including the right to life and the right to equality, threatening the wellbeing of our community.
“Enshrining the right to a healthy environment is essential for the full enjoyment of other human rights.”
Quotes attributable to Suzanne Orr, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water:
“I’d like to thank Minister Cheyne for her leadership on this nation-leading reform.
“Canberrans love their bush capital and have been among the strongest supporters for Climate Change Action in the nation.
“Having a right to a healthy environment is another demonstration of our appreciation for our environment and our commitment to leading the way on looking after it.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Pene Mathew, ACT Human Rights Commissioner:
“This is a really significant step in recognising that we all depend on a clean and healthy environment to be able to lead good and happy lives.
“While the right to a healthy environment can’t address climate change and environmental harms on its own, incorporating this right within our ACT human rights framework means that public servants and government agencies will now have to consider environmental impacts when they develop and implement policies and laws.
Quotes attributable to Nicole Sommer, Director of Legal Practice at the Environmental Defenders Office:
“Today is a historic day for the ACT and for the nation, as the first Australian jurisdiction recognises what we know to be true – that our wellbeing and security depends on access to a healthy environment.
“The ACT is leading the nation with this ground-breaking reform. We applaud the ACT legislature for acting so quickly to embed this into its existing human rights laws.
“As the climate crisis worsens, this right is only becoming more critical.”
Ex-HMAS Brisbane post Tropical Cyclone Alfred inspection.
Sections of the ex-HMAS Brisbane, a former Royal Australian Navy warship that is one of Australia’s premier wreck-dive sites, have been redesigned by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Steve Hoseck, Principal Ranger of Southern Marine Parks, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service said rangers conducted an initial post-cyclone inspection of the popular dive site, located off Mooloolaba, over the weekend.
“While the majority of the wreck remains in great shape, and appears unaffected by Alfred, a large forward section of the ship has undergone a major makeover,” Mr Hoseck said.
“An entire section below the front funnel has detached and been relocated to the port side of the ship – this is an amazing demonstration of the power of the waves and water currents that were at play during the cyclone.”
Mr Hoseck said Rangers are prioritising making safe the separated areas so diving can resume as soon as possible.
“Once these works have been completed, we will open the site for guided external-only dives run by the two local dive operators.
“The next priority is a full internal inspection of the wreck to assess if additional work is required before diver entry into the wreck is deemed safe.
“This internal assessment is complex work that requires good sea conditions and could take several months to complete. Access during this time will be limited to guided dives only for safety.
“A multi-beam survey in April will give us an indication of damage to external surfaces, and will be compared to previous surveys to determine if any further twisting or warping has occurred.
“We recognise how important the ex-HMAS Brisbane site is to the local diving community and tourism industry and we are committed to getting the site safe and reopened so that visitors can experience its new creative expressions as soon as possible.
“We ask that people stay away from the site until it is deemed safe.”
“Once deemed safe, the ex-HMAS Brisbane will be an amazing dive, with new twists and unique perspectives thanks to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.”
STEPHANIE DALZELL, HOST: Returning to our top story today, the government says it will investigate the child care sector after Four Corners exposed systemic issues and cases of abuse and neglect. Let’s bring in the Early Childhood Education Minister, Anne Aly, to discuss this further. Anne, thanks for joining us. This Four Corners investigation exposed a flawed and inconsistent regulatory system for child care centres with allegations of abuse. Can I just ask you, firstly, what was your initial reaction when you saw the story?
MINISTER ANNE ALY: Yeah, look, I think the behaviours that were reported in last night’s story are deeply, deeply concerning and I want to make it very clear that there is no tolerance for those kinds of behaviours in early childhood education and care sector. We care deeply and are committed to child wellbeing and safety and understand that parents rightly expect that when they drop off their children in early childhood education and care, that their children are well looked after, that they’re safe and that they’re secure.
I might point out that the vast majority of providers, and the vast majority of early childhood educators, are dedicated professionals who care deeply about safety and child development and child education.
I would also point out that I expect that state and territory governments fulfil their regulatory obligations and ensure that services operating within their jurisdictions comply with the National Quality Framework.
Now, this afternoon, I have asked the CEO of the National Quality Authority to give some immediate advice on what more can be done around child safety and security, building on the 2023 recommendations of the report that myself and the Minister for Education, Jason Clare commissioned. That gives us a range of recommendations for improving child safety in early childhood education and care. All state and territory ministers and the Commonwealth Government have agreed on those recommendations and we’re making good progress in implementing those recommendations. And we’ll continue working with state and territory governments to ensure that child safety and wellbeing are front and centre of our early childhood education and care system.
DALZELL: You mentioned the state and territory regulators. Given how systemic these failures and breaches have been here, does the Federal Government need to take over regulation to ensure children’s safety?
ALY: Well, early childhood education and care and the regulation of early childhood education and care services is a shared responsibility. The states have a responsibility and the Federal Government has a responsibility. And so, I would reiterate that I expect state and territory governments to fulfil their regulatory obligations and ensure that services within their jurisdictions comply with the National Quality Framework.
DALZELL: The Commonwealth pays Child Care Subsidies. You’re writing the cheques. Wouldn’t it make sense for you to also fund the regulators upholding these national standards?
ALY: As I said, it’s a shared responsibility between state and Federal Governments. The Federal Government has a responsibility for the National Quality Framework. The state governments have a responsibility for the regulation. Embedded within the National Quality Framework are safety, security and child health and wellbeing measures. And I expect that state and territory governments fulfil that regulatory responsibility.
DALZELL: The Prime Minister says he supports an investigation into the sector. I know it’s early days, but what are you anticipating that might look like? The Greens are calling for a Royal Commission. Why won’t you consider that? And what will this investigation look like?
ALY: Well, the Prime Minister, as the Prime Minister said, Royal Commissions take years. Now, these are not issues that have just cropped up in early childhood education and care. They are long-standing issues. But this is the first time we have a Federal Government, in the Federal Labor Government, that is taking reform seriously and that has a program of reform. We have already commissioned a review by the ACCC, a review by the Productivity Commission. We have in 2023, as I mentioned, the review into child safety and wellbeing in early childhood education and care. Those reviews are informing our pathway to a system, a universal early childhood education and care system, that is based on quality, affordability and accessibility for every child in Australia. We’ll continue to refer to the reviews that we have done and the consultations that we have with the sector, with families, with educators to chart that pathway to universal early childhood education and care, which is quality, which is affordable and which is accessible.
DALZELL: Anne on another topic, Israel has begun striking Gaza again today, the biggest attack since the start of this ceasefire. How concerned are you about this and the status of the ceasefire?
ALY: I’m deeply concerned. I think the ceasefire gave hope of the stages towards a more lasting peace between Palestine and Israel. I have said before, and I will say it again, there is absolutely no justification for the collective punishment of Palestinian civilians by the Israeli Defence Forces. And you know, this is deeply, deeply concerning. I continue to push for, and I know Australia will continue to push for, an end to the hostilities, a lasting ceasefire and a lasting peace.
DALZELL: Can I also ask you about Peter Dutton’s idea for a referendum to deport dual citizens that have committed serious crimes? We just heard Shadow Trade Minister Kevin Hogan say that one person is too many to be a dual citizen that’s committed a serious crime like terrorism. What’s your response to that?
ALY: Well, our constitution is very clear. A citizen is a citizen, and all citizens should be treated equally. You know, I think the Prime Minister describes this as a thought bubble. I would add to that that Peter Dutton likes to punch down, and he likes to utilise the politics of division and politics of fear for what he sees to be as political gain. I agree with the Prime Minister that this is a thought bubble.
DALZELL: What would the government do, or what is the government doing to deal with dual citizens who have committed crimes like terrorism?
ALY: We have laws in place, and we continue to follow the letter of the law. What we’re talking about here is Peter Dutton wanting to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on a referendum to change our constitution, to give himself the power to take away, strip away citizenship as he sees fit. You know, I think that many Australians would find that idea of a single politician having the power to strip them of their citizenship to be quite untasteful.
DALZELL: When pressing Kevin Hogan about this idea earlier, he didn’t have any specific figures on exactly how many dual citizens might have committed crimes like terrorism. Are you concerned about the Coalition putting this on the table without those details in place?
ALY: I’m concerned that it will be a free-for-all. You know, where does it stop? Who decides? If Peter Dutton wants the power to decide who gets citizenship and who doesn’t, or who gets their citizens stripped and who doesn’t get their citizens stripped, I think all Australians should be concerned about that.
DALZELL: Anne Aly, thanks so much for your time. We really appreciate it.
Topics: Investment in Australia’s neighbourhood houses and community centres; ABC Four Corners child care investigation.
AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: I’m so pleased to be here at Derwent Valley Community House to make a really important announcement that the Commonwealth Government will partner with neighbourhood houses and community centres across Australia to deliver funding for their priorities. This announcement will be close to a $1 million and deliver small grants to up to 50 projects delivered by neighbourhood houses and community centres through the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association. This is a really good partnership. We have been investing through our Strong and Resilient Communities grants in neighbourhood houses directly. But this is the first time that we’ll partner with the national association to deliver small grants across the country. Of course, here in Tasmania, there is a very strong network of neighbourhood houses and community centres, and they’ve demonstrated that they do a lot with a small amount of money. So, I’m really pleased to be announcing this partnership today, and happy to take any questions.
JOURNALIST: So, what’s the value of these individual grants?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Individual grants will be up to $15,000 to do a variety of things under the SARC (Strong and Resilient Communities) grant guidelines. It’s really about building community connections, particularly for those people that may be isolated, disengaged, disconnected. There’s often a focus on youth or newly arrived migrants. But ultimately, the types of ideas will come from the centres themselves, and they’ll be able to put an application into the association to get that funding.
JOURNALIST: You spoke about a lack of volunteers before over the past few years. Can you go into a little bit of that?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: COVID, in particular, disrupted volunteering across the country. We have been working hard with Volunteering Australia to build that back up. So we have put in place a National Strategy for Volunteering, along with an action plan. I’ve also been working with the peak associations in all states and territories to make sure that we’re providing funding for them to look at groups that may have been excluded from volunteering in the past. And we’re actually also running a new national campaign encouraging young people to look at volunteering. It’s called Hanging Out to Help Out. So these are really important elements to encourage volunteering. But I would say that we are seeing some green shoots of this investment. We are seeing, anecdotally, volunteers coming back and wanting to play a role, and speaking with the volunteers at this neighbourhood centre, hearing that they want to give back to the community is really heartening. And we’ve also heard, of course, the connections that are made through volunteering and being part of a community.
JOURNALIST: Of those 50 community houses that you mentioned before. Are they predetermined or are applications open?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: We are providing the funding to the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association to take applications and deliver that money. They are best placed and have the experience to do this. They have run a similar program with philanthropic money so they know how to do this. So we’re partnering with the national association to administer those ones.
JOURNALIST: And is there a state by state allocation or is it first in best dressed?
KEIR PATERSON, CEO OF NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSES VICTORIA: We will assess all the applications, and they will be granted on the merit of the application. But we also look at the geographical spread to make sure it’s equitable state by state.
JOURNALIST: Do you know how many are based in Tasmania compared to other states?
MICHELLE EWINGTON, PRESIDENT OF NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSES TASMANIA: So here in Tasmania, we have 35 neighbourhood houses that are funded through a variety of means. We’re very lucky to have state government funding and a commitment to such valuable and vital services.
JOURNALIST: Is there a part of Tasmania that really takes up a lot of those 35 services, or how are they spread out?
MICHELLE EWINGTON: They are dispersed right around the state. Each of them have their own diverse communities that they work with. They listen to the needs of communities. They fill the gaps for vital services that are required across the state, and each of those will have a great interest in applying for specific project funding as a result of this grant.
JOURNALIST: You really rely on this funding. This 15K – is it enough?
MICHELLE EWINGTON: Funding is essential to keep our services alive. We have such loyal staff in these organisations that stretch themselves immensely to actually deliver on the much-needed services for each community. So whilst these grants are going to be very useful and of interest, the continued funding for such important services, having been here today listening to the stories of this great house itself, the experiences of the volunteers here, the more funding that can be provided to houses right across the country, but particularly here in Tasmania, it’s essential.
JOURNALIST: What types of programs are being offered?
MICHELLE EWINGTON: Across the state there’s a diverse range of programs, from supporting people with learning to drive and mentor programs to offering social inclusion activities. Here we have a program called Happy Hookers Crochet Club. We offer cooking classes across the state. We bring services in so that they can meet the community where the community is. Community connectors is an important role that actually allows those that are vulnerable, those who may not have the skills, those who might not have the confidence, to approach the relevant services and get the referrals they need.
JOURNALIST: So for people coming through the door, what are some of the challenges that they’re facing?
MICHELLE EWINGTON: The challenges that communities face again are complex. The cost of living – we see that every day. Things like our food relief programs, the increased need for those. When we think about isolation and loneliness and the impact on communities, again, another important need addressed by our houses. There are a number of other skill building programs which might not be accessible to people through other means, and so neighbourhood houses fill a vital space in our communities and in amongst government services.
JOURNALIST: Have you seen a change in the community needs post COVID?
MICHELLE EWINGTON: I think the change is pretty evident in in terms of the common themes that have come through – cost of living, impacts on mental health, loneliness, concerns about health access, housing. All of the things that we know are big ticket items. At a grassroots level, the neighborhood houses are the places where we hear this, where we learn this, and where we support this.
JOURNALIST: There are calls for an urgent inquiry into the childcare sector, following a Four Corners expose into abuse, sexual misconduct and neglect. Would you support an inquiry, and in what form?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: First, I would say that our Government has taken the safety and quality of early learning and care incredibly seriously. In fact, it was Labor that introduced the National Quality Framework, which has done really important work in ensuring that we’re lifting the quality and safety of our early learning sector. But in addition, Minister Clare and Minister Aly commissioned an important report around child safety requirements under the National Quality Framework, and all Education Ministers have agreed to implement those recommendations. So the work really is working across the board with all states and territories to implement these recommendations. I would say that the majority of early childhood education settings and the workers that work in there do the right thing. For those that are not doing the right thing, there needs to be swift action.
JOURNALIST: And do you think there is swift action at the moment?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well as I said, predominantly the regulatory enforcement does come down to states and territories. However, as I said, Minister Clare and Minister Aly have worked and commissioned a review into child safety. There are now recommendations that all Education Ministers have agreed to. It’s important that those recommendations are implemented.
JOURNALIST: The sector’s propped up by $14 billion in Federal funding, and there have been increased incidents and breaches in every state. What are you doing to prevent money for educators’ pay rises just going to the profits of centres?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, let’s be really clear if, if educators and centres sign up for the pay increases, they have to deliver those through pay increases. The program that involves funding educators’ wages must be given to educators. That’s first and foremost. Secondly, we are driving improvement in this sector. It was neglected under the previous Government, who, in fact, opposed the introduction of the National Quality Framework. So it is important that we continue to work with our state and territory colleagues who are responsible for implementing it, but I want to see, importantly, action taken where we see quality improving and safety being lifted.
JOURNALIST: Given the systemic failures and serious breaches in childcare uncovered by Four Corners, does the Federal Government need to take over regulation to ensure children’s safety?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, we think that there is an important role to be played by both state and territory governments and the Commonwealth. It is a joint responsibility around the National Quality Framework. We have been working hard, as I said, through the Education Ministers, to do a review through the National Quality Framework to ensure that child safety is reviewed, and it’s a responsibility for states and territories, along with the Commonwealth, to deliver this.
JOURNALIST: I guess, circling back to that first point, on calls for inquiry. Should there be one? Have you seen the reports from Monday on Four Corners?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Of course, child safety has to be at the forefront at all times. And as I said, this has been something that Minister Aly and Minister Clare have had as a real focus. That’s why they commissioned the review. That’s why they’ve taken the recommendations to the Education Ministers, and that’s why they are focused on implementation. We need to ensure that the implementation of these recommendations are made. That’s critically important, and we’ll keep working with states and territories to ensure that happens.
JOURNALIST: But no fresh inquiry?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: There was a review done in 2003 after a decade of neglect by the previous Government. There are recommendations made. It is now down to implementing them.
We’ve reviewed our advice for Bangladesh and continue to advise reconsider your need to travel due to ongoing civil unrest, demonstrations and terrorism. The situation remains volatile, with an ongoing risk of protests and demonstrations across Bangladesh and a heightened risk of civil unrest and disorder.
The risk of terrorism in Bangladesh remains. There is also an increased risk of crime, including assault, arson and vandalism. Avoid large gatherings, including protests, demonstrations and rallies. These can turn violent without warning (see ‘Safety’).
