Senate Education and Employment References Committee - Melbourne, VIC (part 1 of 2)
16 February 2026
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Senate Education and Employment References Committee Australian Parliament
18:12 - 19:59
Speaker 2
Open this hearing of the Senate Education and Employment References Committee into the quality and safety of Australia's early childhood education and care system. I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and pay my respect to their elders past and present. I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today. The committees will be conducting today's hearing in person and via teleconference. Senators present include the deputy chair, senator Marielle Smith, senator Hodgins May, who will be with us shortly, and senator Bligh on the telephone.
These are public proceedings being audio streamed live via the parliament's website, and a hand side transcript is being made. I remind all witnesses that in giving evidence to to the committee, they are protected by parliamentary privilege. It is unlawful for anyone to threaten or disadvantage a witness on account of evidence given to a committee, and such action may be treated by the senate as a contempt. It is also a contempt to give false or misleading evidence. Witnesses also have a right to request to be heard in camera.
If a witness objects to answering a question, they should set the ground upon which the objection is made, and the committee will determine whether it will be... Whether it will insist on an answer having regard to the ground which is claimed. If the committee determines to insist on an answer, a witness may request that the answer be given in camera. I remind senators of their obligations under the behavior code for Australian parliamentarians to treat witnesses with dignity, courtesy, fairness, and respect. I remind committee members and witnesses who are appearing via teleconference and who are not speaking to mute their microphones.
I now welcome
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