7am Adele Ferguson on why children aren’t safe at childcare centres
Jul 6, 2025
Adele Ferguson, an investigative journalist renowned for her work on child safety, joins National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds to discuss alarming issues in Australian childcare. They delve into a recent case of sexual abuse that exposes systemic failures in protecting children. The conversation shifts to how profit-driven childcare centers compromise safety, highlighting the urgent need for stronger regulations and accountability. They emphasize that prioritizing child safety should be a national commitment, urging comprehensive reforms to safeguard vulnerable children.
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Children Unsafe in Childcare
- Adele Ferguson states children are currently not safe in childcare due to a sector in crisis.
- This highlights urgent government action is needed to protect children.
Childcare Worker Charged With Abuse
- Joshua Brown was arrested for abusing eight children aged five months to two years in Victorian childcare centres.
- He worked at 20 different centres between 2017 and 2025, showing widespread exposure.
Flawed Childcare Worker Checks
- Working with children checks in Australia are flawed and inconsistent among states.
- Lack of a national register allows offenders to evade detection by moving between states.