UPDATE: The head of one of Australia’s largest childcare providers, Tim Hickey, has issued a public apology for harm caused to children in his centres during a highly scrutinized NSW parliamentary inquiry held on October 17, 2023. Allegations of serious misconduct, including sexual abuse and neglect, have rocked the sector, prompting urgent calls for reform.
During the inquiry, Greens MP Abigail Boyd confronted Hickey about the troubling safety record of Affinity Education Group, which oversees approximately 250 centres serving 23,000 children. The inquiry follows shocking revelations about children being restrained for hours and served inadequate meals at for-profit facilities. Boyd criticized private equity involvement, questioning whether profit motives overshadow child welfare.
Hickey defended the company’s operations, stating, “My job is to sustain profitability in our centres so that we can reinvest back into the educators, back into the centres.” He insisted that safety and quality are priorities, with 90 percent of centres meeting or exceeding critical quality benchmarks. However, the inquiry revealed a troubling backdrop as former worker Joshua Dale Brown faces over 70 charges, including sexual assault, linked to his tenure at Affinity.
“I want to express my sincere apology for any child that’s been harmed while they’ve been in our care. That’s an outcome that’s deeply distressing and unacceptable,” Hickey stated, emphasizing the emotional toll on families and educators.
The inquiry’s urgency is underscored by a recent federal Productivity Commission report indicating that NSW has experienced more breaches than the rest of Australia combined for five consecutive years. An independent review by former NSW deputy ombudsman Chris Wheeler found that the childcare regulator’s performance is hindered by outdated national laws and frameworks.
Wheeler commended the NSW government for swift reform efforts, including legislation introduced in September 2023 that mandates board members of childcare providers to prioritize duty of care over shareholder profits. “Obligation to children is paramount,” Wheeler stated, highlighting the need for accountability in the sector.
In response to the review, the NSW government has mandated the installation of security cameras in childcare centres, increased penalties for non-compliance, and implemented measures aimed at enhancing child safety. The inquiry revealed that serious issues persist despite regulatory measures, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current oversight.
As the inquiry continues, all eyes are on the future of childcare in NSW. Stakeholders are urging immediate reforms to ensure that children are protected from harm. The public is left grappling with the critical question: How can we safeguard our children in a system designed to care for them?
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the inquiry progresses and new details emerge about the ongoing challenges facing the childcare sector.
