Latest from Jess
Early Childhood Australia National Conference
- Speeches
- 6 minute read
Early Childhood Australia National Conference
I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the Early Childhood Australia National Conference is being held, the Whadjuk people. I...
Early Childhood Australia National Conference 2025
- Articles
- 1 minute read
Early Childhood Australia National Conference 2025
If you want to feel inspired - try sharing a room with over a thousand passionate early childhood educators, providers and advocates! For more than...
Visit to School of Early Learning in Como, West Australia
- Articles
- 1 minute read
Visit to School of Early Learning in Como, West Australia
The School of Early Learning in Como, Western Australia is providing high-quality early learning to around 120 children each week. Centre Directors Gretel and Chelsea...
Applications open for 2026 Youth Advisory Group program
- Media Releases
- 1 minute read
Applications open for 2026 Youth Advisory Group program
Applications are now open for the Government’s 2026 Youth Advisory Groups. Youth Advisory Groups bring together young people aged 16 to 24 years who are...
Early Childhood Roundtable on Tasmania’s Cradle Coast
- Articles
- 1 minute read
Early Childhood Roundtable on Tasmania’s Cradle Coast
We know that regional communities, like those on Tasmania’s Cradle Coast, face some unique challenges when it comes to accessing high quality early childhood education...
ABC Takeover Burnie
- Speeches
- 2 minute read
ABC Takeover Burnie
Hello Takeover Winners and esteemed guests! Before I begin, I want to acknowledge the Palawa people of the Pataway nation, who are the Traditional Owners...
SDN Children’s Service, Sydney, New South Wales
- Articles
- 1 minute read
SDN Children’s Service, Sydney, New South Wales
SDN Children's Services in Sydney have a long history of providing high quality, accessible early childhood care and education to the families who need it...
Visit to Gowrie Clemton Park, Sydney, New South Wales
- Articles
- 1 minute read
Visit to Gowrie Clemton Park, Sydney, New South Wales
Gowrie Clemton Park in Sydney’s west is one of early childhood education and care services who have received the Albanese Government’s Worker Retention Payment. This...
Goodstart Jindi Visit, Whittlesea, Victoria
- Articles
- 1 minute read
Goodstart Jindi Visit, Whittlesea, Victoria
Quality early learning is a game changer for children, especially those who need a little bit more help and support. So it was fabulous this...
Early Childhood Educators Day 2025
- Articles
- 1 minute read
Early Childhood Educators Day 2025
Meeting dedicated educators like Leanne, Nazish, and Cathy is one of my favourite parts of this job. They’re the backbone of the sector, and their...
National Leadership Forum
- Speeches
- 2 minute read
National Leadership Forum
I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we gather today, the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respects to...
National reforms to child safety in early learning
- Op-Eds
- 3 minute read
National reforms to child safety in early learning
As I walked into the Education Ministers Meeting on child safety on Friday, the stories of two strong women came with me. First, the mother...
Early Learning Matters Week 2025
- News
- 1 minute read
Early Learning Matters Week 2025
In the short time I’ve been Minister for Early Childhood Education, I’ve met early educators from all over the country who do amazing work. I...
Press Conference, Sydney – Education Ministers Meeting
- Transcripts
- 40 minute read
Press Conference, Sydney – Education Ministers Meeting
JASON CLARE, FEDERAL MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: Thanks very much for coming along. I think we all know why we’re here. Australians have been shocked and sickened...
ABC Afternoon Briefing with Patricia Karvelas
- Transcripts
- 6 minute read
ABC Afternoon Briefing with Patricia Karvelas
PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: I spoke to the Early Childhood Education Minister, Jess Walsh, a short time ago. Minister, welcome to the program. When will the national...
ABC Radio Melbourne with Raf Epstein
- Transcripts
- 6 minute read
ABC Radio Melbourne with Raf Epstein
RAFAEL EPSTEIN, HOST: Let’s turn our attention to what our Federal and State Ministers will do, how they will try to keep our kids safe. I...
ABC RN Breakfast with Sally Sara
- Transcripts
- 6 minute read
ABC RN Breakfast with Sally Sara
SALLY SARA, HOST: The nation's Education Ministers are meeting today to discuss how to improve safety in the child care sector – mandatory child safety training,...
Supporting new early childhood education in Kununurra
- Media Releases
- 2 minute read
Supporting new early childhood education in Kununurra
A community-run early childhood education and care service has opened in Kununurra, creating opportunity for children in remote Western Australia. The One Tree Wunan Garndim-banjelng...
Culturally inclusive child care service for First Nations children and families in Far North Queensland
- Media Releases
- 1 minute read
Culturally inclusive child care service for First Nations children and families in Far North Queensland
The Government is funding a new community-led early childhood education and care service on Horn Island in the Torres Strait. Once established, the service will...
Horrific stories in early education must end
- Op-Eds
- 2 minute read
Horrific stories in early education must end
As the Federal Government was preparing to introduce legislation to ensure early education providers put child safety first, I met with the mother of a...
Compliance action to lift safety in child care
- Media Releases
- 2 minute read
Compliance action to lift safety in child care
The Department of Education has initiated compliance actions against 30 early childhood education and care services under new powers. This is the first time these...
International Youth Day
- Articles
- 1 minute read
International Youth Day
On International Youth Day, I’d like to send a big congratulations to all the young leaders who’ve stepped up and become engaged to create the...
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
- Articles
- 1 minute read
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
High quality early childhood education and care changes lives – for the better. We know the early years matter with 90% of brain development occurring...