Families Sue Childcare Giant Over Child Sex Abuse Claims

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Three Melbourne families are pursuing legal action against G8 Education, a major childcare provider, following allegations of child sexual abuse by former worker Joshua Dale Brown. This article examines the lawsuits, the systemic failures alleged, and concerns over the Albanese government’s oversight of childcare safety.

On July 18, 2025, law firm Arnold Thomas & Becker announced that three families whose children attended Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Point Cook, operated by G8 Education, are filing claims against the company, with the first suit expected next week, per 9News. Joshua Dale Brown, 26, faces over 70 charges, including sexual assault and producing child abuse material, involving eight alleged victims aged five months to two years between April 2022 and January 2023. Jodie Harris, principal lawyer at Arnold Thomas & Becker, told The Age, “The sheer amount of access [Brown] had one-on-one with children is a major red flag,” highlighting potential lapses in supervision. Over 100 families have sought legal advice, with claims focusing on G8’s failure to ensure child safety across its 400+ centres.

Brown’s employment at 24 childcare centres across Melbourne from 2017 to May 2025, including G8 and Affinity Education facilities, has raised alarms. Victoria Police identified 2,600 affected families, with 1,200 children recommended for infectious disease testing, per The Guardian. A parent from Aussie Kindies in Keilor told The Age that photos of Brown with children were deleted from the Storypark app, raising concerns about transparency. G8 Education, responding to the allegations, announced plans to accelerate CCTV installation and commission an independent review, per ABC News.

The Albanese government’s response, including a proposed national childcare worker register, lacks urgency, critics argue. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare’s emotional pledge for reform, per 9News, does little to address immediate accountability. With the Australian Bureau of Statistics noting rising childcare demand, the Labor government’s failure to strengthen oversight risks further tragedies. These lawsuits signal a demand for justice and robust safeguards to protect Australia’s children. Support is available at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).