Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

  • Minister for Early Childhood Education
  • Minister for Youth

Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh was sworn in as Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth on 13 May 2025. Content published on this site relates to the Minister’s responsibilities within the Education portfolio.

Filter Dr Jess Walsh's releases

Press Conference, Sydney

SUBJECTS: Child care safety, Education Ministers Meeting, university governance.

Release type: Transcript

Date: 22 August 2025

Ministers:

  • The Hon Jason Clare MP
  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh
  • Hon Courtney Houssos MLC
  • The Hon Sabine Winton MLA
  • Ms Yvette Berry MLA
  • The Hon Jo Palmer MLC
  • Hon Jo Hersey MP
  • The Hon John-Paul Langbroek MP
  • The Hon Blair Boyer MP

Transcript - 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.

Release type: Transcript

Date: 22 August 2025

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

Transcript – ABC Radio Melbourne with Raf Epstein

SUBJECTS: Childcare safety reforms; Changes in NDIS.

Release type: Transcript

Date: 22 August 2025

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

Transcript - ABC RN Breakfast with Sally Sara

SUBJECTS: Education Ministers Meeting; Early education child safety reforms; Securing the future of the NDIS; Thriving Kids.

Release type: Transcript

Date: 22 August 2025

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

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. 

Release type: Joint Media Release

Date: 20 August 2025

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh
  • Senator Glenn Sterle

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.

Release type: Joint Media Release

Date: 19 August 2025

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh
  • Matt Smith MP

Horrific stories in early education must end

Opinion piece - Child safety in early education

Release type: Op-Ed

Date: 16 August 2025

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

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. 

Release type: Joint Media Release

Date: 15 August 2025

Ministers:

  • The Hon Jason Clare MP
  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

Transcript - ABC Melbourne Mornings with Justin Smith

SUBJECTS: Early education child safety legislation; Early education child safety reforms; Upcoming Education Ministers Meeting; Register of early childhood educators.

Release type: Transcript

Date: 24 July 2025

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

Doorstop - Parliament House, Canberra

SUBJECTS: Cutting student debt; Early education child safety legislation; Free TAFE.

Release type: Transcript

Date: 23 July 2025

Ministers:

  • The Hon Jason Clare MP
  • The Hon Andrew Giles MP
  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

Albanese Government introduces legislation to strengthen safety in child care centres

Today the Albanese Government introduced legislation to Parliament to lift child safety in early education and care services.

Release type: Joint Media Release

Date: 23 July 2025

Ministers:

  • The Hon Jason Clare MP
  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

Transcript - ABC RN Breakfast with Sally Sara

SUBJECTS: Early education child safety legislation; early education child safety reforms; Education Ministers Meeting; register of early childhood educators.

Release type: Transcript

Date: 23 July 2025

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh