'Hotbed of shonks': Turnbull launches crackdown on dodgy family daycare

By Adam Gartrell
Updated February 27 2017 - 3:13pm, first published 12:15am
Education Minister Simon Birmingham: ''The perpetrators of fraud are on notice.'' Photo: Louise Kennerley
Education Minister Simon Birmingham: ''The perpetrators of fraud are on notice.'' Photo: Louise Kennerley
The federal government says it has saved almost $1 billion by closing childcare loopholes.  Photo: Peter Braig
The federal government says it has saved almost $1 billion by closing childcare loopholes. Photo: Peter Braig
Melissa Jade Higgins received childcare benefits exceeding $3.6 million to which she was not entitled. Photo: Supplied
Melissa Jade Higgins received childcare benefits exceeding $3.6 million to which she was not entitled. Photo: Supplied

The Turnbull government is launching a major crackdown on "shonks and rorters" in the family daycare sector, with new measures designed to save taxpayers up to $250 million.