Senator Matt O’Sullivan
Shadow Minister for Choice in Childcare and Early Learning
Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence
Deputy Manager of Opposition Business
Senator for Western Australia
Media Release
9 November 2026
Families will be forgiven for disappointment with the Education Minister’s Meeting Communique, which is long on commitments but short on detail.
The Coalition believes families deserve access to quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) that gives parents genuine choice and real flexibility, while putting children’s safety first. But this must be backed by clear safety measures, not rehashed talking points.
Ministers considered findings of the National Assessment of CCTV use in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings, supported by an Expert Reference Panel. Yet the only commitment was to develop a national best practice guidance.
There is no detail on how CCTV is actively improving child safety, whether footage will be continually monitored, or simply reviewed after concerns have been raised. Families deserve measures that prevent harm, not just document it after the fact.
Ministers were also briefed on stakeholder consultation regarding a potential National ECEC Commission and agreed in principle to its key functions. Yet there is little detail on the stakeholder feedback, the Commission’s responsibilities or how it will deliver measurable improvements to child safety.
An agreement in principle is not an outcome, and a commitment to developing national best practice guidance does not guarantee child safety.
After a series of alarming cases of harm in ECEC settings, families deserve more than vague commitments. They deserve to know what will change, who is accountable and how.
[ENDS]