Childcare workers on ‘ick’ alert after abuse scandals
Robyn Wuth |
Australia’s childcare workers are on “ick” alert as they scramble to rebuild public trust after the sector was engulfed in sexual abuse scandals and widespread safety concerns.
A Senate inquiry into the troubled industry moved to Brisbane on Monday as it probes quality and safety in the nation’s early childhood education and care system.
It was sparked by calls for reform after a series of high-profile scandals, including allegations of sexual abuse, unnecessary restraints and other failings in the sector.
Goodstart Early Learning chief executive Ros Baxter, representing a non-profit group that is the nation’s largest operator of childcare centres, said the organisation’s staff were urged to report any uncomfortable incidents.
“Nothing is more critical than children’s safety,” Dr Baxter told the inquiry.
“I have met several times over the last year with every one of our centre directors in every centre across the country … we talk about anything that gives you an ick.
“Anything that gives you a moment of something just not looking right, you will absolutely be supported through that process” of reporting, she said.
The sector has been battling child-safety concerns since it was revealed a Queensland worker sexually abused dozens of girls at childcare centres in one of the worst paedophile cases in the nation’s history.
Ashley Paul Griffith was sentenced to life in prison in November 2024 after admitting to more than 300 offences at daycare facilities in Queensland.
He is separately accused of abusing at least two dozen children in NSW and in Italy.
The distressing abuse scandal deepened after a second worker from the Affinity Education Group was charged with more than 70 sex offences in Victoria.
Joshua Dale Brown worked at 24 facilities between 2017 and 2025, including many run by Affinity.
“These are all very serious and troubling matters, and I want to express how profoundly sorry I am that something like this could occur to any child in our care,” Affinity chief executive Glen Hurley told the inquiry.
“It is something that should never have happened.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of child harm and will dismiss employees found to be in breach of this safeguard.
“On behalf of Affinity, I offer my sincere apology for the incidents that occurred at centres.”
Affinity has since conducted a review to address safety concerns and implemented strict new childcare requirements, which have led to a reduction in reported incidents, he said.
CCTV has been installed and incident reporting simplified under a “see something, say something” policy.
“Our full focus is on strengthening safety, quality, and oversight across our services,” Mr Hurley said.
“The early indicators have been reassuring – we’ve witnessed reduced complaints, breaches, and a more stabilised workforce.”
Affinity childcare centres recorded more than 1,700 regulatory breaches between 2021 and 2024, the inquiry heard.
“We treat all of these safety incidents and breaches extremely seriously,” Mr Hurley said.
AAP