Tim McCurdy – Mandatory training must be added for child protection
Thursday 22 February 2024
The Liberals and Nationals support the addition of mandatory training to the Working with Children Check application process.
An on-line training process, in addition to the current checks, must be immediately supported by the Allan Labor Government.
The training module is a small, simple reform that can only strengthen the fight against child sex abuse.
Training is required to gain a Responsible Serving of Alcohol certificate, so it stands to reason training must be required in the WWCC application process.
The WWCC is a screening process used to assess or reassess people who work with or care for children. It investigates a person’s criminal history, as well as any professional conduct findings, but there is no formal training attached to the process.
Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, Tim McCurdy, said he was stunned the Allan Labor Government was not supportive of the extra layer of protection.
“Working with children checks need to be more than a box ticking exercise and must incorporate some training to make them complete,” Mr McCurdy said.
“We must continue to put children’s safety first.”