Arabic version: الرئيس التنفيذي لرعاية الأطفال يفتقر إلى البيانات حول الانتهاكات التنظيمية خلال الاستجواب

A Senate inquiry into the quality and safety of Australia’s early childhood education and care system was held in Brisbane on Monday. Glen Hurley, the chief executive of Affinity Education Group, faced questions regarding the number of regulatory breaches at the company’s childcare centres. According to ABC News, Hurley admitted he could not recall the exact number of breaches from the previous year.

The inquiry revealed that Affinity Education Group’s centres received more than 1,700 regulatory breaches between 2021 and 2024. When asked for 2025 figures, Hurley stated, “I don’t have the 2025 figures in front of me.” He assured the Senate that the company is addressing compliance issues but acknowledged the lack of specific data during the hearing.

Senator Steph Hodgins-May pressed Hurley for more information, expressing concern over his inability to provide figures while presenting at a Senate inquiry. Hurley agreed to take the request for data on compliance notices on notice. The inquiry also highlighted serious incidents involving staff at Affinity centres, including criminal charges against workers.

Hurley described the previous year as the “lowest point” for the sector and apologized on behalf of the company for failing to meet the trust families placed in them. He emphasized the importance of safety and quality in childcare, stating that more than 90% of their centres are rated as either “meeting or exceeding” national quality standards. However, he acknowledged that rebuilding trust takes time and a sustained effort.