Childcare horrors are shocking, but they're no surprise to me
And then there's the video – just nine seconds long. A defenceless baby, strapped into a bouncer, crying hysterically as a childcare worker slaps her across the face repeatedly for fun. Her colleague films it, laughing, and uploads it to Snapchat. It's hard to believe this is happening in Australia's childcare centres, but it's been going on for years, all in plain sight.
But there's even more heinous crimes. It took the announcement of a 26-year-old male educator being charged with more than 70 counts of child sexual abuse at a Melbourne childcare centre before people started asking the question … is childcare safe?
For someone like me, who has been investigating childcare for almost a year now, the news was horrifying but not a surprise. In Victoria, NSW and Western Australia, at least one report of sexual misconduct is made every day. And that's just what's tracked and reported. In Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory, there's no reportable conduct scheme, so we simply don't know.
The Victorian man facing charges, Joshua Dale Brown, worked at 20 childcare centres, most of them owned by big private operators including private equity-owned Affinity Education, listed ASX giant G8 Education and United States-owned Only About Children. His case is ongoing and remains before the courts.
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Scratch the surface, and you find more. On Wednesday, a worker from Affinity childcare group is scheduled to face a NSW court charged with nine counts of sexually touching a child. This case is also ongoing.
In March, Quoc Phu Tong, who worked at a Seaforth centre run by Only About Children, was sentenced to two years in prison for the intentional touching of a child.
Then there's Ashley Paul Griffith, a childcare worker sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to a series of offences at early learning centres, mostly in Queensland. His crimes, described as 'depraved', included rape and the production of child-exploitation material. Griffith's abuse went undetected for years, despite holding a valid Blue Card – Queensland's working-with-children check – due to systemic failures in the child-protection systems.
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Hunt continues for culprits behind anti-Semitic attacks
Australia's political leaders are under renewed pressure to tackle the scourge of anti-Semitism as police continue to probe a spate of fresh attacks. There were at least four anti-Semitic attacks in Melbourne at the weekend, including the alleged firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. Israeli restaurant Miznon was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters not long after the alleged arson, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Three cars were set alight and a wall spray-painted with anti-Semitic "inferences" at a Greensborough business in the city's northeast in the early hours of Saturday morning. Police said overnight they were releasing CCTV of five people they want to speak to in relation to the incident, with detectives saying the group's members - who all wore black hooded jumpers, backpacks and gloves - left the business via a back fence and fled on e-bikes. A link has not been found between the attacks, nor a fourth incident in which stencils were used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. A 28-year-old from Footscray remains the only other arrest for allegedly hindering police at Miznon but was released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. The incidents have thrown down the gauntlet to the federal and Victorian governments, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus visited the East Melbourne synagogue on Sunday and described the alleged firebombing as an "attack on Australia". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as police continue to investigate whether it constitutes terrorism. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who condemned the attack as an "act of hate", is expected to attend the site on Monday. She promised state bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. The legislation is yet to be introduced to parliament, although the state has previously strengthened anti-vilification laws and banned the public display of the Nazi salute and symbols. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for the prime minister to convene an urgent meeting of national cabinet to deal with the issue. But Victoria's opposition police spokesman David Southwick, who is Jewish, said there was no need for another "talkfest". "The time for talk is over. We need action," the Caulfield MP said. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who presented a documentary on anti-Semitism in Australia following Hamas' October 7 terror attacks, called the wave of Melbourne incidents a "hate crime". "Violent anti-Semitism is a threat to us all and until it's called out for what it really is, it will continue," he wrote on social media. Australia's political leaders are under renewed pressure to tackle the scourge of anti-Semitism as police continue to probe a spate of fresh attacks. There were at least four anti-Semitic attacks in Melbourne at the weekend, including the alleged firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. Israeli restaurant Miznon was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters not long after the alleged arson, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Three cars were set alight and a wall spray-painted with anti-Semitic "inferences" at a Greensborough business in the city's northeast in the early hours of Saturday morning. Police said overnight they were releasing CCTV of five people they want to speak to in relation to the incident, with detectives saying the group's members - who all wore black hooded jumpers, backpacks and gloves - left the business via a back fence and fled on e-bikes. A link has not been found between the attacks, nor a fourth incident in which stencils were used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. A 28-year-old from Footscray remains the only other arrest for allegedly hindering police at Miznon but was released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. The incidents have thrown down the gauntlet to the federal and Victorian governments, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus visited the East Melbourne synagogue on Sunday and described the alleged firebombing as an "attack on Australia". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as police continue to investigate whether it constitutes terrorism. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who condemned the attack as an "act of hate", is expected to attend the site on Monday. She promised state bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. The legislation is yet to be introduced to parliament, although the state has previously strengthened anti-vilification laws and banned the public display of the Nazi salute and symbols. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for the prime minister to convene an urgent meeting of national cabinet to deal with the issue. But Victoria's opposition police spokesman David Southwick, who is Jewish, said there was no need for another "talkfest". "The time for talk is over. We need action," the Caulfield MP said. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who presented a documentary on anti-Semitism in Australia following Hamas' October 7 terror attacks, called the wave of Melbourne incidents a "hate crime". "Violent anti-Semitism is a threat to us all and until it's called out for what it really is, it will continue," he wrote on social media. Australia's political leaders are under renewed pressure to tackle the scourge of anti-Semitism as police continue to probe a spate of fresh attacks. There were at least four anti-Semitic attacks in Melbourne at the weekend, including the alleged firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. Israeli restaurant Miznon was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters not long after the alleged arson, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Three cars were set alight and a wall spray-painted with anti-Semitic "inferences" at a Greensborough business in the city's northeast in the early hours of Saturday morning. Police said overnight they were releasing CCTV of five people they want to speak to in relation to the incident, with detectives saying the group's members - who all wore black hooded jumpers, backpacks and gloves - left the business via a back fence and fled on e-bikes. A link has not been found between the attacks, nor a fourth incident in which stencils were used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. A 28-year-old from Footscray remains the only other arrest for allegedly hindering police at Miznon but was released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. The incidents have thrown down the gauntlet to the federal and Victorian governments, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus visited the East Melbourne synagogue on Sunday and described the alleged firebombing as an "attack on Australia". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as police continue to investigate whether it constitutes terrorism. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who condemned the attack as an "act of hate", is expected to attend the site on Monday. She promised state bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. The legislation is yet to be introduced to parliament, although the state has previously strengthened anti-vilification laws and banned the public display of the Nazi salute and symbols. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for the prime minister to convene an urgent meeting of national cabinet to deal with the issue. But Victoria's opposition police spokesman David Southwick, who is Jewish, said there was no need for another "talkfest". "The time for talk is over. We need action," the Caulfield MP said. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who presented a documentary on anti-Semitism in Australia following Hamas' October 7 terror attacks, called the wave of Melbourne incidents a "hate crime". "Violent anti-Semitism is a threat to us all and until it's called out for what it really is, it will continue," he wrote on social media. Australia's political leaders are under renewed pressure to tackle the scourge of anti-Semitism as police continue to probe a spate of fresh attacks. There were at least four anti-Semitic attacks in Melbourne at the weekend, including the alleged firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. Israeli restaurant Miznon was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters not long after the alleged arson, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Three cars were set alight and a wall spray-painted with anti-Semitic "inferences" at a Greensborough business in the city's northeast in the early hours of Saturday morning. Police said overnight they were releasing CCTV of five people they want to speak to in relation to the incident, with detectives saying the group's members - who all wore black hooded jumpers, backpacks and gloves - left the business via a back fence and fled on e-bikes. A link has not been found between the attacks, nor a fourth incident in which stencils were used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. A 28-year-old from Footscray remains the only other arrest for allegedly hindering police at Miznon but was released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. The incidents have thrown down the gauntlet to the federal and Victorian governments, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus visited the East Melbourne synagogue on Sunday and described the alleged firebombing as an "attack on Australia". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as police continue to investigate whether it constitutes terrorism. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who condemned the attack as an "act of hate", is expected to attend the site on Monday. She promised state bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. The legislation is yet to be introduced to parliament, although the state has previously strengthened anti-vilification laws and banned the public display of the Nazi salute and symbols. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for the prime minister to convene an urgent meeting of national cabinet to deal with the issue. But Victoria's opposition police spokesman David Southwick, who is Jewish, said there was no need for another "talkfest". "The time for talk is over. We need action," the Caulfield MP said. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who presented a documentary on anti-Semitism in Australia following Hamas' October 7 terror attacks, called the wave of Melbourne incidents a "hate crime". "Violent anti-Semitism is a threat to us all and until it's called out for what it really is, it will continue," he wrote on social media.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Hunt continues for culprits behind anti-Semitic attacks
Australia's political leaders are under renewed pressure to tackle the scourge of anti-Semitism as police continue to probe a spate of fresh attacks. There were at least four anti-Semitic attacks in Melbourne at the weekend, including the alleged firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. Israeli restaurant Miznon was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters not long after the alleged arson, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Three cars were set alight and a wall spray-painted with anti-Semitic "inferences" at a Greensborough business in the city's northeast in the early hours of Saturday morning. Police said overnight they were releasing CCTV of five people they want to speak to in relation to the incident, with detectives saying the group's members - who all wore black hooded jumpers, backpacks and gloves - left the business via a back fence and fled on e-bikes. A link has not been found between the attacks, nor a fourth incident in which stencils were used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. A 28-year-old from Footscray remains the only other arrest for allegedly hindering police at Miznon but was released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. The incidents have thrown down the gauntlet to the federal and Victorian governments, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus visited the East Melbourne synagogue on Sunday and described the alleged firebombing as an "attack on Australia". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as police continue to investigate whether it constitutes terrorism. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who condemned the attack as an "act of hate", is expected to attend the site on Monday. She promised state bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. The legislation is yet to be introduced to parliament, although the state has previously strengthened anti-vilification laws and banned the public display of the Nazi salute and symbols. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for the prime minister to convene an urgent meeting of national cabinet to deal with the issue. But Victoria's opposition police spokesman David Southwick, who is Jewish, said there was no need for another "talkfest". "The time for talk is over. We need action," the Caulfield MP said. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who presented a documentary on anti-Semitism in Australia following Hamas' October 7 terror attacks, called the wave of Melbourne incidents a "hate crime". "Violent anti-Semitism is a threat to us all and until it's called out for what it really is, it will continue," he wrote on social media.
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Kangaroo on road could have caused triple-fatal crash
Three people are dead and another has been critically injured after a horror crash on a regional road that police suspect might have been caused by a kangaroo. The collision involving two SUVs occurred about 7.20am on Sunday on Bolinda-Darraweit Road in the Macedon Ranges, northwest of Melbourne. The triple fatality brought the number of lives lost on Victorian roads in 72 hours to six, prompting renewed warnings from authorities. Three people travelling in one SUV died at the scene, while two others involved in the crash were taken to hospital, one of whom had life-threatening injuries. A dead kangaroo was found near the scene, with police looking into whether one of the SUVs had veered to avoid it. "It appears one of the vehicles has veered into incoming traffic ... and they've collided head-on, which has caused the catastrophic scene," Senior Sergeant Ben Morris told reporters. "We're not 100 per cent sure ... we're still working through the scene to confirm the involvement of the animal." A motorist died hours later after a head-on collision on the Western Highway in Buangor, about 181km west of Melbourne. Police were called to the scene after a car reportedly veered onto the wrong side of the freeway and collided with another vehicle. The driver of the first car died at the scene and has yet to be formally identified. The second car's driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a female passenger was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. In a separate incident on Saturday night, a rider died and another is fighting for life after a crash involving two motorcycles and two vehicles on the Western Freeway at Grangefields, near Melbourne. A 16-year-old boy died in the city's east on Friday after being hit by a car, while an e-bike rider was critically injured in Geelong. Road Policing Command Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said most of the serious collisions at the weekend were on regional roads. "Every life lost is one too many," he said. "What we have seen this weekend has been devastating and there are many families whose lives have changed forever as a result of the trauma on our roads." Ambulance Victoria CEO Jordan Emery described the fatalities and injuries as the most horrific of circumstances. "As a paramedic, I realise that these events are part of our job, but the tragic loss of life through road trauma is especially tough," he said."If there is one message we can send, it's to please take care when on the road. The impact is felt well beyond those behind the wheel." There have been 156 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, 15 more than the same time in 2024. Three people are dead and another has been critically injured after a horror crash on a regional road that police suspect might have been caused by a kangaroo. The collision involving two SUVs occurred about 7.20am on Sunday on Bolinda-Darraweit Road in the Macedon Ranges, northwest of Melbourne. The triple fatality brought the number of lives lost on Victorian roads in 72 hours to six, prompting renewed warnings from authorities. Three people travelling in one SUV died at the scene, while two others involved in the crash were taken to hospital, one of whom had life-threatening injuries. A dead kangaroo was found near the scene, with police looking into whether one of the SUVs had veered to avoid it. "It appears one of the vehicles has veered into incoming traffic ... and they've collided head-on, which has caused the catastrophic scene," Senior Sergeant Ben Morris told reporters. "We're not 100 per cent sure ... we're still working through the scene to confirm the involvement of the animal." A motorist died hours later after a head-on collision on the Western Highway in Buangor, about 181km west of Melbourne. Police were called to the scene after a car reportedly veered onto the wrong side of the freeway and collided with another vehicle. The driver of the first car died at the scene and has yet to be formally identified. The second car's driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a female passenger was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. In a separate incident on Saturday night, a rider died and another is fighting for life after a crash involving two motorcycles and two vehicles on the Western Freeway at Grangefields, near Melbourne. A 16-year-old boy died in the city's east on Friday after being hit by a car, while an e-bike rider was critically injured in Geelong. Road Policing Command Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said most of the serious collisions at the weekend were on regional roads. "Every life lost is one too many," he said. "What we have seen this weekend has been devastating and there are many families whose lives have changed forever as a result of the trauma on our roads." Ambulance Victoria CEO Jordan Emery described the fatalities and injuries as the most horrific of circumstances. "As a paramedic, I realise that these events are part of our job, but the tragic loss of life through road trauma is especially tough," he said."If there is one message we can send, it's to please take care when on the road. The impact is felt well beyond those behind the wheel." There have been 156 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, 15 more than the same time in 2024. Three people are dead and another has been critically injured after a horror crash on a regional road that police suspect might have been caused by a kangaroo. The collision involving two SUVs occurred about 7.20am on Sunday on Bolinda-Darraweit Road in the Macedon Ranges, northwest of Melbourne. The triple fatality brought the number of lives lost on Victorian roads in 72 hours to six, prompting renewed warnings from authorities. Three people travelling in one SUV died at the scene, while two others involved in the crash were taken to hospital, one of whom had life-threatening injuries. A dead kangaroo was found near the scene, with police looking into whether one of the SUVs had veered to avoid it. "It appears one of the vehicles has veered into incoming traffic ... and they've collided head-on, which has caused the catastrophic scene," Senior Sergeant Ben Morris told reporters. "We're not 100 per cent sure ... we're still working through the scene to confirm the involvement of the animal." A motorist died hours later after a head-on collision on the Western Highway in Buangor, about 181km west of Melbourne. Police were called to the scene after a car reportedly veered onto the wrong side of the freeway and collided with another vehicle. The driver of the first car died at the scene and has yet to be formally identified. The second car's driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a female passenger was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. In a separate incident on Saturday night, a rider died and another is fighting for life after a crash involving two motorcycles and two vehicles on the Western Freeway at Grangefields, near Melbourne. A 16-year-old boy died in the city's east on Friday after being hit by a car, while an e-bike rider was critically injured in Geelong. Road Policing Command Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said most of the serious collisions at the weekend were on regional roads. "Every life lost is one too many," he said. "What we have seen this weekend has been devastating and there are many families whose lives have changed forever as a result of the trauma on our roads." Ambulance Victoria CEO Jordan Emery described the fatalities and injuries as the most horrific of circumstances. "As a paramedic, I realise that these events are part of our job, but the tragic loss of life through road trauma is especially tough," he said."If there is one message we can send, it's to please take care when on the road. The impact is felt well beyond those behind the wheel." There have been 156 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, 15 more than the same time in 2024. Three people are dead and another has been critically injured after a horror crash on a regional road that police suspect might have been caused by a kangaroo. The collision involving two SUVs occurred about 7.20am on Sunday on Bolinda-Darraweit Road in the Macedon Ranges, northwest of Melbourne. The triple fatality brought the number of lives lost on Victorian roads in 72 hours to six, prompting renewed warnings from authorities. Three people travelling in one SUV died at the scene, while two others involved in the crash were taken to hospital, one of whom had life-threatening injuries. A dead kangaroo was found near the scene, with police looking into whether one of the SUVs had veered to avoid it. "It appears one of the vehicles has veered into incoming traffic ... and they've collided head-on, which has caused the catastrophic scene," Senior Sergeant Ben Morris told reporters. "We're not 100 per cent sure ... we're still working through the scene to confirm the involvement of the animal." A motorist died hours later after a head-on collision on the Western Highway in Buangor, about 181km west of Melbourne. Police were called to the scene after a car reportedly veered onto the wrong side of the freeway and collided with another vehicle. The driver of the first car died at the scene and has yet to be formally identified. The second car's driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a female passenger was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. In a separate incident on Saturday night, a rider died and another is fighting for life after a crash involving two motorcycles and two vehicles on the Western Freeway at Grangefields, near Melbourne. A 16-year-old boy died in the city's east on Friday after being hit by a car, while an e-bike rider was critically injured in Geelong. Road Policing Command Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said most of the serious collisions at the weekend were on regional roads. "Every life lost is one too many," he said. "What we have seen this weekend has been devastating and there are many families whose lives have changed forever as a result of the trauma on our roads." Ambulance Victoria CEO Jordan Emery described the fatalities and injuries as the most horrific of circumstances. "As a paramedic, I realise that these events are part of our job, but the tragic loss of life through road trauma is especially tough," he said."If there is one message we can send, it's to please take care when on the road. The impact is felt well beyond those behind the wheel." There have been 156 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, 15 more than the same time in 2024.
