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Melina Bath urges parents, carers, and educators to provide submissions to improve child safety by 30 November 2025

Victoria'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 failures

Ms 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 inquiry

Ms 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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  South Gippsland Shire Council is seeking feedback from parents and carers to help shape how the Victorian government's 2027 Pre-Prep program is delivered locally to meet community needs.
• Peri Urban Councils Victoria reflecting on 2025 year of growth, advocacy, and stronger Peri-Urban communities
  As 2025 ends, PUCV reflects on a productive year of growth, advocacy, and connectivity improvements, thanking member councils and supporters, while preparing an ambitious agenda for 2026 and beyond.
• Danny O’Brien says July-September 2025 data shows Labor continues failing Gippsland’s critical emergency response
  Ambulance Victoria data shows Gippsland response times well below targets, with urgent calls for the Allan Labor government to improve staffing, resources, and performance to protect regional communities.
• Bass Coast Shire Council adopts 2024 - 2025 Annual Report, showcasing community achievements and future strategic direction
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its 2024 - 2025 Annual Report, celebrating achievements, community progress, and the completion of the 2021 - 2025 Council Plan while setting a new strategic direction for 2025-2029.
• Gippsland Water completes Baw Baw Leak Detection Program, repairing hidden leaks to improve service reliability and reduce water loss
  Gippsland Water's Baw Baw leak detection program surveyed 425 km of mains, uncovering 128 leaks. Repairs improve service reliability, reduce water loss, and support proactive network maintenance across the region.
• Southern Rural Water celebrates World Tourism Day 2025 while linking people, culture, nature, and sustainable regional tourism
  World Tourism Day 2025 highlights water’s role in southern Victoria, connecting people, culture, recreation, agriculture, and sustainable tourism while supporting communities, ecosystems, and Traditional Owner cultural heritage.
• Southern Rural Water upgrades over meters across Gippsland to improve accuracy and fair water management
  Southern Rural Water is replacing 1,000+ outdated meters across southern Victoria by 2026, boosting accuracy, compliance, and fair water management under national standards - with no cost to customers.
• Gippsland Water begins Warragul wastewater plant upgrade to support growth, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact
  Gippsland Water has begun a two-year Warragul wastewater plant upgrade, replacing ageing infrastructure, improving operations, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing environmental outcomes to support rapid regional growth.
• Orbost Outdoor Pool adopts clearer, family-friendly 2025 schedule following strong community feedback
  Orbost Outdoor Pool will introduce a clearer, community-informed schedule for the 2025 season, offering predictable peak-season hours and flexible warm-weather openings to better support families, school-aged swimmers and local pool users.
• Australia to celebrate inaugural Red and Yellow Day honouring volunteer lifesavers and supporting water safety initiatives
  Australia will celebrate its first Red & Yellow Day on March 4, 2026, honouring volunteer lifesavers and supporting lifesaving clubs through community participation and fundraising for vital water safety initiatives.
• Latrobe City Council reviews community feedback on draft Streetscape Strategy to refine public space improvements and concerns
  Latrobe City Council has concluded community consultation on the draft Streetscape Strategy, reviewing feedback on carpark concerns, public space improvements, and long-term enhancements before finalising recommendations.
• East Gippsland residents urged to foster dogs as Animal Aid Bairnsdale faces unprecedented influx and resource strain
  Animal Aid Bairnsdale urges East Gippsland residents to foster dogs as rising numbers strain shelter capacity. Support, resources, and costs are provided, ensuring dogs receive safety, love, and a chance at adoption.