Title: Madeleine West Advocates for Government Childcare Subsidies in Australia Amid Daycare Scandal

This version retains all key elements (her role, the call for subsidies, the context of the scandal) while streamlining phrasing for conciseness.

Madeleine West Proposes Direct Childcare Subsidies to Parents Amid Safety Concerns

[Image: Madeleine West holding her newborn, caption: "Madeleine West advocates for childcare subsidies to be paid directly to parents."]

Former Neighbours star Madeleine West, 47, has sparked debate by urging the Australian government to redirect childcare subsidies to parents instead of centers. The mother of seven shared her stance following the arrest of Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown, 26, charged with 70 offenses—including child abuse and contaminating food with bodily fluids. Over 1,200 children were advised to undergo STI testing in response.

In an Instagram video, West—who recently welcomed her seventh child—suggested bypassing daycare centers entirely: “Why don’t we cut out the middleman? Give parents the subsidy so they can stay home with their kids. If there’s no access, there’s no abuse.” Her proposal comes as Australia prepares for a 2026 policy guaranteeing three days of subsidized childcare for families earning up to $530,000 annually.

[Image: Madeleine’s Byron Bay home, caption: "West relocated to a $4.6M Byron Bay property post-split with chef Shannon Bennett."]

West, now a child safety advocate, moved to Suffolk Park in 2022 after separating from celebrity chef Shannon Bennett. She previously lived in a $16M Melbourne mansion but downsized to prioritize proximity to her six older children. While some praised her subsidy idea, critics argued it oversimplified systemic issues.

Mixed Reactions
Supporters hailed the concept as a return to traditional parenting: “Make raising our own children the norm again!” Others, however, highlighted complexities: “Some mothers work for mental health or economic reasons,” one user countered. A father noted daycare benefits like socialization but acknowledged, “Bad people exist everywhere—home and work.”

[Image: Social media comment collage, caption: "Parents debated the feasibility of West’s proposal online."]

Broader Childcare Safety Debate
West’s comments followed a heated exchange on Today between advocate Louise Edmonds and host Karl Stefanovic. Edmonds called for banning male childcare workers, stating, “Safety must come before gender equality.” Stefanovic pushed back: “Good men deserve to be role models without stigma.”

[Image: Louise Edmonds and Karl Stefanovic, caption: "Debate erupted over male workers in childcare sectors."]

While West’s proposal ignited conversation, it underscores growing concerns over childcare safety and the need for flexible solutions. As policies evolve, balancing parental choice, workforce needs, and child protection remains a pressing challenge.

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