02 July 2025
Shadow Cabinet Secretary and Federal Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace MP, a staunch advocate for child safety and long-time supporter of preventative education initiatives, has called for urgent national action to strengthen child safety frameworks, following revelations of an alleged childcare worker in Victoria charged with over 70 sex offences against children. The alleged perpetrator of these heinous crimes is said to have worked across 20 childcare centres. This must be terribly distressing for families of children attending these centres.
“If these allegations are proven, this would be one of the most serious failures of child protection in recent memory. My thoughts are with the victims and families affected by these horrific crimes,” Mr Wallace said.
“Given the multiple sites in which the alleged offender has worked over several years, presumably without attracting attention, in my view calls into question the adequacy of relying upon the current Working with Children Check (WWCC). A check alone is not a shield; it must be backed by mandatory prevention training and robust national safeguards.”
Mr Wallace echoed the calls of the Australian Childhood Foundation and survivors like Emma Håkansson for mandatory child abuse prevention education to be embedded in the WWCC process nationally. The Foundation’s recent report, More Than a Check, based on the voices of more than 350 survivors, makes clear that adult awareness and early intervention are critical in keeping children safe.
“As a long-time advocate for child safety and someone who has worked closely with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation for many years, I know that we must do better, not just to identify predators, but to empower every adult who works with children to recognise risk and take action.”
Mr Wallace also acknowledged the leadership of Bruce and Denise Morcombe, who now serve on the National Office Strategy advisory group and have long championed preventative education and systemic reform.
“Bruce and Denise have turned unthinkable tragedy into a powerful force for good. Their ongoing work, through the Foundation and national advisory roles, continues to make Australia safer for every child.”
“The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse gave us a roadmap. It’s time we followed it with urgency, with unity, and with unwavering resolve to protect the most vulnerable among us.”
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West
M | 0402 556 646
E | Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
