7am Australia’s childcare crisis
11 snips
Dec 6, 2025 Adele Ferguson, an investigative journalist at the ABC, sheds light on the alarming issues within Australia's childcare system after her award-winning reporting. Alongside Anne Hollonds, former National Children's Commissioner, they discuss the shocking allegations of abuse, flaws in safety checks, and the profit-driven motives hurting child safety. Adele advocates for national reforms and better tracking of educators, while Anne emphasizes the need for independent oversight and robust regulations. They challenge current policies that prioritize access over safety, highlighting society's neglect of children's needs.
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Sector In Crisis, Children At Risk
- Adele Ferguson says the childcare sector is in crisis and children aren't currently safe.
- She urges urgent government action because profit-driven operators have weakened protections.
Staffer Worked At Many Centres
- Adele recounts Joshua Brown, charged with 70 counts involving infants and toddlers across 20 centres between 2017 and 2025.
- She highlights how a single staffer moved between many centres without detection for years.
Checks Are Fragmented And Flawed
- Adele explains working-with-children checks are flawed and states don't share adverse information.
- She notes privacy and lack of a national register let dangerous people move interstate and stay employed.