Two major childcare providers will install CCTV cameras at all their centres across the country in response to alleged child abuse by a Melbourne worker.
It’s one of multiple safety measures now being considered in government reviews and at individual childcare centres since the allegations surfaced.
Unions and advocates have questioned whether the measures will be effective enough to address deeper concerns about the childcare sector.
Allegations
Former Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Brown is facing 70 offences relating to eight victims.
The charges include rape, attempted child sexual assault, and producing child abuse material. Brown is due to face court in September.
The families of 1,200 children were told to test them for possible infectious diseases.
Brown worked at approximately 20 childcare centres between 2017 and 2025.
Childcare
Childcare centres are now responding to growing concerns about safety within the industry.
G8 is the second-largest provider in Australia, operating more than 400 centres. It owns one of the multiple locations Brown worked at prior to his arrest.
Earlier this week, G8 confirmed it would “accelerate” the installation of CCTV cameras at its centres after piloting them at a number of sites.
G8 also committed to giving parents additional control over which staff members will have oversight of their child’s “personal care”.
This includes nappy changes and using the bathroom.
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A day after G8 announced these changes, another major provider Brown worked for, Affinity Education, confirmed it was making similar changes to “fast-track” CCTV installation. It will also require staff to undergo a training “refresher” on child safety.
Victoria has launched a review that will consider whether to make CCTV camera compulsory at centres.
Response
The United Workers’ Union (UWU) said the measures could have “unintended consequences and [not] actually fix fundamental problems in the sector”.
UWU Early Childhood Director Carolyn Smith said: “If you go to the extreme of CCTV being rolled out in 17,000 centres nationally, aside from the massive expense, how do you ensure these images don’t fall into the wrong hands?”
National
Federal Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh welcomed the centres’ move to install CCTV.
“This is only one part of the change that needs to be made,“ Walsh said in a statement to TDA.
The Federal Government will introduce legislation to withdraw funding for providers who “put profit over safety”.
Shadow Minister Jonno Duniam told TDA: “We welcome urgent adoption of any possible measure that can improve transparency at childcare centres and the safety of kids.“
