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Melina Bath urges parents, carers, and educators to provide submissions to improve child safety by 30 November 2025Victoria's Child Safety Inquiry calls for public submissions to investigate early childhood education failures, restore family confidence, and recommend reforms ensuring children receive safe, high-quality care and protection. By news@gippsland - 23rd September 2025 - Back to News The Select Committee conducting an inquiry into the recent child safety failures in the early childhood education and care sector in Victoria is calling for public submissions. The Inquiry was successfully established by The Nationals and Liberals after allegations of child safety and abuse in the sector were revealed, distressing families. The Nationals' Melina Bath who is serving on the Committee is encouraging parents, carers, educators and training organisations to have their say and make a submission to the wide ranging Inquiry. 
Melina Bath said the Inquiry is needed to restore family confidence, ensure children's safety, and use community input to improve quality care in early childhood education Child safety failuresMs Bath said parents and families were devastated and disturbed by the failures in Victoria's child safety regulations and subsequent compliance failures. "The Committee will investigate exactly what went wrong and by whom; and make recommendations for reform to better protect our youngest citizens and minimise the possibility of future repeats." The Inquiry is examining the effectiveness of Working with Children Checks, as well as current quality and safety standards, and the training, qualifications, and professional development of educators in Victoria's childcare sector. It will also examine workforce conditions, staff-to-child ratio regulations, and whether there is sufficient oversight by the Department of Education. Childcare confidence inquiryMs Bath said families had reported that they had lost faith in the childcare and early education sector and the Inquiry is needed to restore confidence in the sector. "Families deserve certainty when they drop their young children off, that they are kept safe from harm and receive quality care and education. People's views and experiences will help shape recommendations for meaningful improvements to the system and help our young children receive the care and protection they deserve," she said. A full copy of the Inquiry's Terms of Reference and the submissions portal can be found online at Parliament of Victoria website. The Select Committee will table an interim report in early 2026, with a final report due to Parliament by 31 July 2026. Submissions close on 30 November 2025. Pictures from East Gippsland Shire Council Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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