Last Tuesday, July 29, was a poignant opportunity for Members of Parliament to strengthen Victoria’s broken Working With Children Check (WWCC) system and implement much-needed change to safeguard children.

The Worker Screening Amendment (Safety of Children) Bill 2025, moved by the Nationals and Liberal Party, prioritised urgent reforms in light of a recent child abuse scandal that sent the community reeling.

On Wednesday July 16, the ABC reported that Joshua Dale Brown, the alleged perpetrator, had up to 70 charges against him. Police updated their original statement to reveal Mr Brown had worked at 24 childcare centres from January 2017 to May 2025. Eight children, as young as 2 months to 5 years, were allegedly abused, which caused a tsunami of concern and outrage from parents and the public.

One must simply ask: How did this happen? How on earth was the accused able to slip through the WWCC cracks and work with innocent children at childcare? Where were the police and meticulous background checks? Who raised the alarm and why wasn’t action taken earlier?

Surely any human with a heart can agree that child abuse is the most hideous crime and one that must carry the full weight of the law with regard to sentencing and punishment. Surely any human with a brain can also agree that more must be done to protect innocent children and ensure educational staff are verified and authorised to work with children. So why did the Victoria Premier and her Labor Party vote to block amendments?

In 2022, the Victorian Ombudsman urged the Allan government to act quickly with regard to implementing change to protect children in childcare. Tragically, allegations of child abuse continue to occur due to gaps in the system.

Instead of listening to the Ombudsman, the Allan government did nothing. Instead of realising this issue is not political, but rather a child safety matter and uniting with the Nationals and Liberal Party to make change, the Allan government blocked the Bill and, in my opinion, failed their duty of care to prioritise the protection and wellbeing of children.

What a devastating state of affairs and a kick in the guts to the approximately families who had children in the childcare centres thought to be impacted by the scandal. As Mr Brown’s alleged actions were brought to light, authorities contacted these families and urged them to take their child/children to get STD tests – which is simply traumatising and devastating in itself.

Premier Allan announced to the media that the Victorian Government would commission an urgent review focused on immediate action and that WWCC permit system would be reviewed.

Premier Allan commented, ‘[The allegations] are shocking and distressing, and my heart just breaks for those families who are living every parent’s worst nightmare.’

So… what happened, Premier Allan? Are your words sincere? Do you really care about the safety of children? Why then, would any Premier and their government, vote against new protections, screening, and background checks? Or is this a publicity stunt rather than a genuine call to action?

This week, after the Worker Screening Amendment (Safety of Children) Bill was defeated, Shadow Attorney General, Michael O’Brien said, ‘Today Labor put playing politics ahead of protecting Victorian children. We simply want to close the loopholes that put kids at risk, but Labor voted against our Bill in favour of more dithering and delay.’

This is not a time for political point scoring or egotistical power play, Premier Allan. Ensuring the safety of our most vulnerable – children – must be at the heart and mind of any adult with a conscience. Surely, supporting this Bill is a no-brainer? Even Premier Allan’s neighbour, Premier Minns in NSW, has taken quick action by releasing a media statement calling for urgent child safety reforms.

Currently, someone with a serious conviction – including sexual assault – can appeal a WWCC refusal at NCAT. The NSW government will next week introduce legislation to Parliament to strengthen the WWCC to better protect children from harm.

Surely, Premier Allan would align to these values and virtues if her fellow Labor Premier does? It’s beggars’ belief that the Allan government has stalled on taking decisive action. As victims and their families are left devastated and terrified by the ordeal, one can take comfort and reassurance that the Liberal Party and the Nationals tried their best and walked the walk.

Amelia Donnelly is a primary school educator and children’s author