TRANSCRIPT
It was a revelation that stunned the community, and parents: the arrest of a 26 year old childcare worker on more than 70 charges of child sex offences against eight youngsters at a Point Cook centre in Melbourne's west.
Janet Stevenson is the Acting Commander of Crime Command.
"It has been established that he has worked at 20 childcare centres across Melbourne, between January 2017 and May 2025. We're not suggesting that the accused has offended against children in all these centres, but we're encouraging anyone with information to come forward to Crime Stoppers."
In the wake of the allegations surfacing, federal and state governments have swung into action.
An estimated 2600 families and carers who had children placed at the centres during the man's employment are being sent letters with important instructions.
The Victorian state government has ordered an urgent safety review that will look at making CCTV mandatory in childcare centres.
Extra safety measures have also been announced which include the fast-tracking of a federal ban on mobile phones in childcare centres, which Premier Jacinta Allan says is one of the reforms they're bringing forward.
"Here in Victoria, I won't wait. Families cannot wait. More needs to happen now. That is why, in acknowledging there is work to create a national register of childcare workers, more needs to happen now, and why we will begin working on a Victorian register to give families better checks and balances as soon as possible."
But the government has also expressed frustration.
Victoria's Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn says the changes they've announced are part of a reform process that the state has been arguing must happen across the country.
"There is national reform work underway, but as the premier said it is frustratingly slow. And this is something we have expressed over the past months and weeks, and certainly something I expressed last Friday. We need to see tangible outcomes sooner."
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has acknowledged that frustration.
"It's taken too long to do the work necessary to make sure that our working with children check system is up to scratch. I've spoken a number of times with the Attorney General Michelle Rowland - the new attorney general. And I think I can safely speak on her behalf - she agrees."
But the Minister says the government is serious about bringing in changes - which include a proposal to strip childcare centres of funding if they don't meet safety standards.
"This is serious, and it requires serious action. I was informed about this by the Victorian government a little over a week ago. It's one of the reasons why I put this at the top of the agenda when education ministers met last week."
Attorney General Michelle Rowland says reforms will also look at the current process for working with children checks, after Victoria Police said the man accused of the Point Cook offences held a valid check.
"Even last week, prior to the education minister's meeting, I have been engaging with my colleague minister Jason Clare to ensure that we have some harmonisation of this scheme at a national level. It's one that has been called for, for a long time and it's one that we are deeply committed to ensuring happens for the safety of children."
The situation is hitting particularly close to home for some in the cabinet, like Housing Minister Clare O'Neil, whose children attend child care in Melbourne.
"I was so panicked yesterday looking on that list to see if any of my kids had been affected in any of these centres. And I know parents - thousands of parents around Victoria - are having these discussions that we just would never want a parent to have to talk to a child about. And so I just say from a human perspective, this is absolutely awful."
Jacinta Allan says the reforms are aimed at creating genuine improvements and reassuring families.
"Families must be able to trust that their children are safe when they are placed in the care - in childcare centres."
If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25). More information is available at beyondblue.org.au and lifeline.org.au.
Anyone seeking information or support relating to sexual abuse can contact Bravehearts on 1800 272 831 or Blue Knot on 1300 657 380.
