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

Address to National Youth Forum

I acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are gathered today. Welcome to the representatives from the Australian Government’s Youth…

Release type: Speech

Date: 25 March 2026

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

Youth Meets Parliament Week Welcome Speech

I’d like to start today by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples.

Release type: Speech

Date: 23 March 2026

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

49 young people appointed to 2026 Youth Advisory Groups

Forty-nine young Australians will come together in Canberra this week to begin working with and advising the Albanese Labor Government on key policy issues as part of the 2026 Youth Advisory…

Release type: Media Release

Date: 23 March 2026

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

Press conference - Narwee, NSW

SUBJECTS: Early childhood education safety reforms; National Early Childhood Worker Register; Mandatory child safety training; Compliance action; Child Supervision Rules; Working with Children Checks…

Release type: Transcript

Date: 27 February 2026

Ministers:

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

Safety in early education and care update

A new national worker register and child safety training for early educators becomes mandatory across the country today.

Release type: Joint Media Release

Date: 27 February 2026

Ministers:

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

Delivering a new early learning and family centre in Derby

The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments and the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children (IDAC) are partnering to deliver a new Early Learning and Family Centre in Derby, Western Australia.

Release type: Joint Media Release

Date: 24 February 2026

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh
  • The Hon Sabine Winton MLA

Press conference - Early Learning Centre, Derby

SUBJECTS: Construction of new Early Learning and Family Centre in Derby, Working with Children Checks, temporary housing for teachers.

Release type: Transcript

Date: 23 February 2026

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh
  • The Hon Sabine Winton MLA

Interview - ABC Melbourne Mornings

SUBJECTS: Building Early Education Fund; Opening of Early Learning Victoria centres; Safety in early education and care.

Release type: Transcript

Date: 19 February 2026

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh

Press conference - Kings Park, Victoria

SUBJECTS: Opening of Early Learning Victoria centres; Best Start, Best Life reforms; Building Early Education Fund; Victorian school funding; Threats to politicians; Pauline Hanson’s remarks; Lakemba…

Release type: Transcript

Date: 19 February 2026

Ministers:

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

Expanding access to early education in Victoria

The Albanese and Victorian Governments have reached a historic agreement for $170.1 million in joint funding to deliver more not-for-profit early learning services in Victoria’s outer suburbs and…

Release type: Joint Media Release

Date: 19 February 2026

Ministers:

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

Community-run centre to open in Kowanyama

A community-run early childhood education and care service has opened in Kowanyama, creating more opportunities for children in the Far North Queensland community.

Release type: Joint Media Release

Date: 18 February 2026

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh
  • Matt Smith MP

Transcript - Whitlam, ACT

SUBJECTS: New early learning centre at Whitlam School; Building Early Education Fund; Child safety in early learning; Productivity Commission Report on Government Services; Molonglo Valley…

Release type: Transcript

Date: 11 February 2026

Ministers:

  • Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh