BREAKING: Australia’s states and territories have unanimously agreed to implement urgent reforms to working with children’s checks by the end of this year, following a disturbing rise in arrests of alleged child predators. This swift action comes after multiple high-profile cases ignited national outrage, prompting a commitment to a robust, unified system.
During a critical meeting on Friday, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed that the new system will operate under a “banned in one, banned in all” principle. This means that individuals banned from holding a working with children check (WWCC) in one jurisdiction cannot obtain one in any other. “Attorney-Generals today agreed to toughening the system,” Rowland stated, emphasizing the necessity of these changes in light of recent shocking developments.
Authorities report that under the new framework, criminal histories will be updated and shared in real-time across states. The criteria for obtaining a working with children check will also be significantly strengthened to prevent exploitation of existing loopholes. “It is notable that nefarious individuals have been shopping around the working with children check system,” Rowland added, highlighting the alarming trend.
The urgency for reform was underscored by the arrest of Joshua Dale Brown, a 26-year-old worker from the Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Point Cook, who faces over 70 offences, including child rape and possession of child abuse material. He has not yet entered pleas to these serious charges.
In another shocking case, a 26-year-old Sydney man, David William James, was charged with producing child abuse material involving ten victims aged six and under, linked to his employment with six different out-of-school hours (OOSH) care services. His alleged offenses occurred between April 2021 and May 2024, raising critical concerns about the effectiveness of existing checks.
Despite earlier estimates suggesting that a national system could take up to 12 months to establish, Rowland assured the public that the new framework will be operational by the end of the year. She credited collaborative efforts and a dedicated taskforce within her department for the expedited timeline, stating, “These are complex areas. But that is no excuse for saying this is too hard.”
The Victorian government has also announced plans to ban personal mobile devices in childcare centres starting from September 26, 2023, and is launching an urgent review of safety protocols in light of recent events. NSW Premier Chris Minns has pledged to comply with the new national database and allocate necessary funds once it is implemented. “If someone’s been struck off in Western Australia, then they shouldn’t be able to have a working with children’s check in NSW,” he asserted.
As Australia moves swiftly to protect its children, the impact of these decisions will be felt across the nation. The commitment to a national system marks a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in childcare settings.
Stay tuned for further updates as these reforms unfold and as Australia takes decisive action to combat child exploitation.
