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How profit beats safety in childcare
17 minutes Posted Oct 27, 2025 at 6:00 pm.
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Show notes

When Joshua Brown was arrested for allegedly abusing children at childcare centers across Melbourne, it exposed a horrifying reality: patchwork regulation and an understaffed, profit-driven industry is failing children.

Months on, as state and federal governments try to deal with the fallout – and as the Albanese government pumps record investment into the early childhood sector – experts say children still aren’t safe in childcare.

Today, crime reporter at The Age Sherryn Groch on the tension between rapid business growth – and child safety – at the heart of the childcare sector.

And just a warning this episode discusses allegations of child sex abuse. 


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Guest: Crime reporter at The Age Sherryn Groch

Photo: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

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