Childcare giant’s boss to be grilled over centre safety
Australia’s largest childcare operator will face greater scrutiny over the safety of its centres, as its boss launches a public inquiry.
G8 Education chief executive Pejman Okhovat will give evidence to a Senate inquiry examining the quality and safety of Australia’s early childhood education and care system on Tuesday.
Former educator Joshua Dale Brown is expected to be questioned about child safety after he was accused of more than 70 sexual offenses against eight victims under the age of two between April 2022 and January 2023.
It was revealed that G8 Education investigated Brown twice while he was working at the company, and while both incidents were proven, his control of working with children was not revoked.
The investigation was sparked by calls for reform following a series of high-profile scandals including allegations of sexual abuse, unnecessary restrictions and poor quality food in the industry.
Parents faced with falling childcare safety standards and declining quality need alternative childcare options, public hearings in Brisbane heard on Monday.
“One in four Australian children live in so-called childcare deserts,” said Cecilia Cobb, co-founder of advocacy group For Parents.
“This means one in four children lives in an area where there are three children for every available childcare place.
“The reality is that access to a child care centre, let alone a high-quality centre, depends on your zip code.”
Ms Cobbs said parents living in isolated regional areas were among those hardest hit.
A lack of supply means thousands of Australian parents are traveling “significant and unreasonable distances” to access childcare.
Others pay for unsupported care out of their own pocket or are forced to turn down shifts until a spot becomes available.
The group highlighted one family in regional Victoria where grandparents made a six-hour round trip twice a week to care for their grandchildren so their mother could work.
“I live in a child care desert, I have no other center options,” Anne Elly wrote in her petition to the investigation.
“My daughter has been on three waiting lists and has been since before she was born.”
While For Parents welcomed the crackdown on poor quality services, Ms Cobbs said subsidized support should be available for registered carers, including nannies, childminders and grandparents.
“Too many families are effectively adhering to the traditional long-day care model even though it may not suit their circumstances,” he said.
“Shift workers, regional families, parents on the 18-month waiting list, parents who take their kids out because of safety concerns—these families get zero government support because the only subsidized option doesn’t work for them.”
The investigation is expected to be reported by the end of March.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Resolution Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline 13 11 14
Child Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
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