Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Martin Cameron MP

Martin Cameron said an independent investigation is vital to address systemic failures threatening the most vulnerable

The Ombudsman will investigate systemic childcare regulator failures after Nationals and Liberals exposed Allan Labor's inaction on Victoria's weak Working With Children Check, rising complaints, and declining enforcement.

By news@gippsland - 20th August 2025 - Back to News

Victorian families continue to be failed by the Allan Labor government as the catastrophic loopholes of Victoria's Working With Children Check (WWCC) system continue to be exposed. Thanks to a motion moved by the Nationals and Liberals in the Legislative Council last month, the Ombudsman will conduct a full investigation into the performance of the Quality Assessment Regulation Division (QARD) - the body responsible for monitoring safety and compliance in early childhood education and care.

Martin Cameron said Labor ignored Ombudsman warnings, narrowing childcare review scope, shattering trust, and failing to fix QARD's serious systemic deficiencies for three years

Protect vulnerable children

The Nationals' Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said an independent investigation into the regulator was a vital step in addressing the systemic failures that have exposed Victoria's most vulnerable to grave risk for far too long. "The Allan Labor government's repeated inaction, despite warnings from the Ombudsman in a 2022 report, has completely shattered trust in the system that is meant to keep children safe."

"For three years Labor knew there were serious, widespread deficiencies in QARD's oversight and enforcement mechanisms, and for three years it did nothing. Rather than establishing an apolitical, truly independent, and wide-ranging review to fully investigate the failures in Victoria's childcare system, Labor deliberately narrowed its scope to avoid scrutiny."

"Shamefully, the government's own review excludes any assessment of the performance and governance of the childcare regulator - a blatant attempt to dodge accountability and conceal government failings," Mr Cameron said.

Urgent action needed

The Ombudsman will consider the following:

• Alarming reports of child sexual abuse linked to one individual who worked across at least 24 childcare centres, prompting over 2,000 children to undergo testing
• Failure of the Allan Labor government to act on a 2022 Ombudsman report that described Victoria's Working With Children Check system as among the weakest in the nation
• Lack of mandatory training for applicants and the absence of a centralised register of childcare educators to strengthen oversight
• 45 percent increase in complaints to QARD since 2018, while enforcement actions have plummeted by 67 per cent over the same period
• Exclusion of QARD from the Allan Labor government's Rapid Child Safety Review

"The system is broken, and now is the time for urgent action to prioritise the safety of children. Only the Nationals and Liberals are committed to protecting our children," Mr Cameron concluded.

Pictures from Martin Cameron MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Martin Cameron questions Labor government for denying regional crime crisis and the ongoing failures of 'Bail Laws'
  The Nationals' Martin Cameron has accused the Allan Labor government of failing Victorians with weak bail laws, after repeat offenders continue to walk free and regional crime remains out of control.
• Martin Cameron slams Allan Labor government over year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Labor's year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings, after multiple ministerial referrals left residents concerned about neglect, squatters, and ongoing government inaction.
• Martin Cameron blasts Labor over Tyers bridge blunder, says government failed truckies and ignored safety warnings
  Martin Cameron has criticised Labor after revelations the Tyers bridge weight limit remained at 30 tonnes months after upgrades, accusing the government of negligence and failing regional Victorians.
• Martin Cameron demands Labor guarantee Traralgon PSOs won’t be removed amid redeployment to retail precincts
  Martin Cameron has urged the Allan Labor Government to guarantee PSOs won’t be removed from Traralgon, warning redeployment to shopping centres could compromise safety on the region’s already under-resourced rail network.
• Martin Cameron slams Energy Minister D'Ambrosio's false claims on power prices and jobs in Latrobe Valley
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron condemned Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's claims of delivering for Latrobe Valley, citing soaring power prices, weak jobs growth, and neglect of residents during Victoria's energy transition.
• Martin Cameron demands action as data reveals dangerous one-star safety ratings on Latrobe Valley roads
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron has condemned the poor safety of Latrobe Valley roads, after state data revealed many key routes rated one or two stars, demanding urgent government action.
• Martin Cameron urges Energy Minister to lift outdated coal overlays blocking 2000 new homes in Traralgon
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Minister Lily D'Ambrosio for refusing to review outdated coal overlays blocking 2000 new homes in Traralgon, despite studies confirming land stability for development.
• Martin Cameron condemns Labor for blocking Jack’s Law, pledges action to combat knife crime
  Martin Cameron condemned the Allan Labor government for blocking Jack’s Law, pledging to introduce it if elected, giving police powers to combat knife crime, following its success in other Australian states.
• Martin Cameron supports Tee Up for Mental Health Golf Day raising vital funds for Lifeline and Rotary
  More than 150 golfers joined the Tee Up for Mental Health Golf Day in Traralgon, raising a record $30,000 for Lifeline Gippsland and Rotary's local mental health initiatives.
• Martin Cameron says Yallourn job cuts devastate workers and mark first blow in Power Station closure
  Up to 40 Yallourn Power Station jobs will be cut by 2025, sparking concern from Martin Cameron over Labor's failure to support the Latrobe Valley through the energy transition.
• Martin Cameron says Labor fails on crime, wasting millions on machete bins instead of protecting Gippsland
  Crime in Latrobe has surged under Labor, with Moe incidents up 26% and retail theft 65%. Nationals' Martin Cameron says only their Safer Communities Plan will restore safety.
• Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses
  Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement.
• Darren Chester and Martin Cameron launch petition urging action on long-delayed Traralgon Princes Highway bypass project
  Darren Chester and Martin Cameron have launched a community petition urging state and federal governments to prioritise funding and design work for the long-delayed Traralgon Princes Highway bypass to ease congestion.
• Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club track redevelopment a "big win for people power," says Martin Cameron
  Racing will resume at Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club after Glenview Park track redevelopment, hailed by Martin Cameron as a "big win for people power" following community and trainer advocacy.
• Nationals pledge to restore Parentline funding, criticise Labor's decision to axe vital family counselling service for Gippslanders
  The Nationals vow to reinstate Parentline funding if elected, condemning Labor's cut to the vital family counselling service that supports Victorian parents, particularly in regional communities facing limited access to services.
• Nationals' $100M Safer Communities Plan targets crime crisis with tough laws and prevention programs across Gippsland
  Martin Cameron backed a $100 million Safer Communities Plan, promising tougher laws and prevention programs to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, restore community safety, and support at-risk youth, contrasting Labor's cuts.
• Labor under fire as Treasurer dodges questions on cuts to vital frontline emergency services jobs
  Labor faces backlash over emergency services job cuts, with Treasurer Jaclyn Symes denying losses despite reports of hundreds axed. Nationals accuse Labor of financial mismanagement, risking regional safety and environmental protection.
• Danny O'Brien says Gippsland roads among state's most dangerous after years of neglect under Allan Labor government
  Danny O'Brien says new AusRAP data shows many Gippsland roads are unsafe after years of Labor neglect, criticising the government for lowering speed limits instead of properly fixing deteriorating roads.
• Darren Chester honours Gippsland farmers and workers on National Agriculture Day for vital regional contributions
  Darren Chester has praised Gippsland’s farmers and agricultural workers on National Agriculture Day, recognising their resilience, vital economic contribution and essential role in sustaining local communities and ensuring ongoing food security.
• Melina Bath criticises Labor government shutting public beekeeping, threatening Victoria's food security and horticultural jobs
  Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government's closure of public land beekeeping, warning it threatens food security, pollination, horticultural exports, and regional jobs, calling for policy reversal and support for apiarists.
• Darren Chester applauds Metung Primary Footy Colours Day, showcasing student enthusiasm and schools' vital role in regional life
  Darren Chester joined Tim Bull at Metung Primary Footy Colours Day, praising student enthusiasm, community spirit, and schools' vital role in fostering connections, participation, and regional community life through fun events