By ABC News
The South Australian government is investigating whether it can expedite a ban on mobile phones in childcare centres, following allegations of child abuse material being produced at a Victorian childcare centre.
The personal electronic device ban is due to come into force nationally in September, but the state government said on Thursday it was investigating whether the ban could be “brought forward even sooner”.
Education Minister Blair Boyer has also asked for “urgent advice” on installing CCTV in early childhood education centres (ECEC), adopting a register of educators, and strengthening the capacity of the regulator to notify families when issues arise.
“I note the immediate actions relating to child safety announced by Victoria today, in light of the serious charges laid against a childcare worker,” he wrote to chief executives of SA’s Office for Early Childhood Development and Education Standards Board.
It comes after Victorian police charged a childcare worker with more than 70 offences relating to eight alleged victims at a centre in Melbourne’s south-west.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is also looking to bring forward a ban on mobile phones in childcare centres in that state.
South Australian Attorney-General Kyam Maher said Mr Boyer had been working towards the ban in childcare centres for “some time” and was now seeking to have it brought forward.
“Not having individual electronic devices that can record footage means film can’t be made that can be passed on,” he said.
“It’s a pretty self-explanatory thing that’s being sought to be curtailed or banned.”
Mr Maher said the government was “keen to examine” any suggestions put forward that improved child safety, following the allegations in Victoria.
“I think everyone was shocked, sickened and horrified,” he said.
Child sex offenders banned from working with youth
Meanwhile, child sex offenders have been banned from working alongside child employees in South Australia.
The legislation came into effect at the start of July, after passing state parliament last year.
It applies to registered child sex offenders or those who have been charged with registrable child sex offences but not yet convicted.
The SA government said previous laws only restricted child sex offenders in settings where children were the subject of the work, such as childcare.
Mr Maher said the penalty for breaching the law was up to five years in jail.
“SAPOL have now written to all of those who are registered to let them know of this change in the law,” he said.