New public register published as part of a federal crackdown on non-complying day care centres

This month the Turnbull Government published a new public register as part of its crackdown on fraud in the day care sector.

Australian Department of Education, Child Care Enforcement Action Register. 6 January 2018:

The Child Care Enforcement Action Register is a list of services that have been the subject of a sanction and/or immediate suspension under the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 (the Administration Act).

In accordance with section 201B of the Administration Act, the Department of Education and Training (the department) publishes a list of services that have been sanctioned under section 200 and/or suspended under section 201A of that Act. Information published on this page only relates to those enforcement actions permitted to be published under the Family Assistance Law (FAL).

The department has established the Child Care Enforcement Action Register because it considers that information on sanctions should be available to the public. Information about the responsibilities and obligations of approved child care services and the FAL can be found on the department’s website.

The information relates to enforcement action taken by the department between 1 July 2016 and 30 September 2017.

2017-2018 (First Quarter) - last updated in January 2018:

VICTORIA (VIC)

NEW SOUTH WALES (NSW)

QUEENSLAND (QLD)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA (SA)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA (WA)

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY (ACT)

2016-2017 - last updated in December 2017:

VICTORIA (VIC)

NEW SOUTH WALES (NSW)

QUEENSLAND (QLD)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA (SA)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA (WA)

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY (ACT)

NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT)

Only one NSW North Coast service has been placed on this federal government name and shame file – Elite Edge Sports & Learning Centre at Terranora. With a suspension on the basis of “Non-compliance with State or Commonwealth Law” as of 2 June 2017.

The majority of named NSW child care centres and other services being in metropolitan areas.

North Coast businesses on the NSW Food Authority's Name and Shame list

BARRAMUNDI TO FRIDAY using a mobile vending vehicle in Prince Street, Grafton 2460 on 19/10/2011 for using misleading or deceptive advertising, packaging, or labelling of food - scallop meat labelled product of Australia in fact is imported, previous warnings given. Fined $770.

BEACH BURGERS using a mobile vending vehicle in Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour 2450 on 1/5/2011 for  failing to have hand washing facilities that are located where they can be easily accessed by food handlers - previous warnings given. Fined $440.

BUSHMAN'S BAKERY at 4/6 Lawson Crescent, Coffs Harbour 2450 on 15/6/2011 for failing to maintain all fixtures, fittings and equipment to the required standard of cleanliness - previous warnings given. Fined $880.

BUSHMAN'S BAKERY at 4/6 Lawson Crescent, Coffs Harbour 2450 on 15/6//2011 for failing to maintain at or near each hand washing facility a supply of single use towels or other means of effectively drying hands - previous warnings given. Fined $880.

COUNTRY FRESH CHICKENS at Shop 26 Grafton Shopping World, Fitzroy Street, Grafton 2460 on 10/8/2011 for failing to identify food for disposal - previous warnings given. Fined $880.

ECLIPSE DISTRIBUTION PTY LTD of Byron Bay and other places on 20/8/2011 for the sale of food labelled in contravention to Food Standards Code - Shift Green Slimming Coffee labelled with a claim for intrinsic weight reducing properties. Fined $880.

GOANNA BAKERY at 171 Keen Street, Lismore on 20/9/2011 for failing to take all practicable measures to eradicate and prevent the harbourage of pests - live cockroaches observed, previous warnings given. Fined $440.

RICHMOND BAKERY - KIBBLES at 77-79 Walker Street, Casino on 25/7/2011 for the sale of unsuitable food - foreign objects (metal clip, bristle) found in custard puff . Fined $1320.

RICHMOND BAKERY - KIBBLES at 77-79 Walker Street, Casino on 19/11/2011 for the sale of unsuitable food - vanilla slice contained bristle from pastry brush. Fined $1320.

THE GRAPEVINE CAFE at 50A Cullen Street, Nimbin 2480 on 26/4/2012 for failing to take all practicable measures to eradicate and prevent the harbourage of pests - cockroach activity observed. Fined $440.

VINCENT'S PRODUCE ( K M Baron Trading Pty Limited) at Grower's Markets, City Square, Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour NSW charged on 30/4/2009 with

1. Engaging in conduct was is misleading or deceptive (s18(1) Food Act) as a result of removing labelling from asparagus (Product of Peru) and displaying that product for sale as locally grown or Australian product.
   
2. Selling food that was falsely described (s18(3) Food Act) as a result of selling asparagus that was a product of Peru as locally grown or Australian product.
   
3. Fail to notify Food Authority of a food business - s100 Food Act.

Decision of Coffs Harbour Local Court on 8/9/2010: Guilty and conviction recorded. Fined $1,000 for each of the offences. Total: $3,000. Defendant ordered to pay the Authority's costs.

Source: NSW Food Authority