Latest news with #abuseallegations
ABC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Mark Latham denies breaching parliamentary rules, abuse allegations in lengthy statement
Independent NSW MP Mark Latham has again denied breaking any laws or breaching legislative standing orders in a lengthy public statement addressing allegations of inappropriate behaviour in state parliament. The former federal Labor leader has faced mounting political pressure over media reports alleging emotional and physical abuse of his ex-partner Nathalie Matthews, and that he allegedly participated in a consensual sex video in his office. Ms Matthews is pursuing a civil court apprehended violence order against Mr Latham, with media reports she is accusing him of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and pressuring her into "degrading" sex acts. Mr Latham has emphatically rejected those claims as "nonsense". In a lengthy address to the media in south-west Sydney on Saturday, Mr Latham refused to confirm or deny whether he had sex in his office. But Mr Latham insisted he had no knowledge of any video, following reports by the Sydney Morning Herald. "I have checked my devices and I can't find any material [Ms Matthews] has filmed involving me, and that includes New South Wales Parliament House," Mr Latham said. But Mr Latham admitted he had made a "mistake" following media reports he allegedly took photos of female colleagues speaking in parliament and made disparaging comments about them in private messages. "I have apologised to both Susan Carter and Abigail Boyd and they've accepted my apology for which I thank them both sincerely," he said. NSW Premier Chris Minns has this week suggested Mr Latham be investigated by the privileges committee following the allegations about his behaviour in parliament. But Mr Latham has again insisted he broke no standing orders in parliament and he has not been notified of any complaint about his conduct. He also directed his attacks at the media, accusing it of "reckless and irresponsible journalism". Ms Matthews has been contacted for a response.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- News.com.au
ASX-listed childcare provider Nido Education keeps quiet after Joshua Brown allegations
A major childcare company has so far kept quiet about how it might respond to this month's shock Joshua Brown allegations, even as other large providers flag major changes to child safety. Nido Education, an ASX-listed $150m provider with more than 100 centres nationwide, has not produced a public statement on the horrific child sex abuse allegations against Mr Brown since they first broke on July 1. Victoria Police allege the educator sexually abused eight children while working for G8 Education, a different childcare provider, at the Creative Gardens Point Cook centre between October 2021 and February 2024. Mr Brown worked in at least 23 centres across Victoria between January 2017 and May 2025, including a short stint at a Nido centre in Werribee between June 21 and July 14 in 2021. The allegations against Mr Brown are for alleged offending that occurred at Creative Gardens. There is no allegation that Mr Brown offended against children while working for Nido. The allegations, which include alleged offending against victims as young as five months, have rocked the nation, and providers have now flagged dramatic changes to their operations. On July 8, G8 said it would accelerate the rollout of CCTV cameras to all of its more than 400 centres and give parents greater choice over their children's care, including preferences on which educators support their child's personal care routines, including nappy changes and toileting. On July 9, Affinity, a private-equity backed provider, announced it would fast-track the installation of CCTV across all of its centres 'to enhance supervision and safety' and seek parental preferences on who helps their child with toileting or nappy changes. Affinity said it would also review centre layouts 'to identify and rectify blind spots as well as auditing visibility into all care centres' and conduct formal consultations with its workers, parents and regulators on 'additional safety measures'. On July 10, Only About Children released a statement to NewsWire outlining the 'ongoing work' it had taken to sharpen child safety in the past 12 months, including enhanced recruitment screening, additional safeguarding and incident reporting training for all campus directors and greater oversight of casual employees. 'Beyond policies and training, we take a proactive approach to child safety education,' an Only About Children spokeswoman told NewsWire. 'Over the past year, we have introduced Bunji, our health and safety mascot, as part of a developmentally appropriate body safety program embedded in our curriculum. 'Bunji plays a central role in helping children settle into care, understand safe practices and navigate big emotions in a friendly and age-appropriate way.' The provider also said it was 'assessing' the role of CCTV across a small number of its centres. 'While CCTV may offer additional visibility in certain situations, our experience so far has shown it is not a stand-alone solution,' she said. 'There are important considerations regarding privacy, clarity of footage and the expectations of both families and educators. 'Any future decisions will be guided by campus-specific safeguarding risk assessments. 'These assessments help us identify and prioritise risk areas and determine the most effective responses. 'Our focus remains on implementing measures that support educators in providing proactive supervision, visibility and audibility in real time, rather than relying solely on reactive tools such as CCTV.' Mr Brown worked at Affinity centres and at Only About Children's Williamstown centre from October 28 2020 to March 29, 2021. There is no allegation that Mr Brown offended against children while working for Affinity or Only About Children. NewsWire contacted Nido last week seeking information on any changes the company might make to child safety in light of the allegations and why it had not informed the public about Mr Brown's short interaction with its Werribee centre, but the company declined to comment. The ABC also revealed on Thursdaythat Nido had sacked Mr Brown during his probation period at Werribee for breaching the company's internal policies. Nido acknowledged the sacking in a statement to the ABC. Nido operates more than 100 childcare and kindergartens across NSW, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. In its full-year results for 2024, Nido reported $166.8m in revenues and $19.5m in net profits after tax. 'Nido anticipates that 2025 will bring significant positive changes to the sector, as both major political parties recognise the necessity for substantial investment in the early education sector,' the results report, released in February, states. The company also flagged a lift in demand for childcare services into 2026. 'With child care being central to campaign themes, there is potential for further policies aimed at reducing access costs for families,' the report states. 'Such initiatives could significantly alleviate cost-of-living pressures and create pathways for families to enter or re-enter the workforce. These measures are expected to add considerably to demand.' Governments are moving to implant large-scale changes around child safety into the sector. For one, Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has flagged changes to background checks for childcare workers. Mr Brown held a working with children check during his time as an educator. The Victorian government, meanwhile, has moved to ban mobile phones for workers at centres, with the ban set to come into effect in September. Providers will be fined $50,000 for breaching the ban. It has also launched a 'short and sharp' review into childcare safety, headed by former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill, with a report expected back on August 15. The expected ramp up in safety regulations comes as the sector struggles with surging demand and a dearth of available staff. In a United Workers Union survey of childcare workers, launched on June 10, some 77 per cent of educators said they were operating below minimum staffing requirements. Further, some 77 per cent said they had come to or stayed at work while sick because of understaffing and 74 per cent said they had stayed back at work to compensate for staff shortages. 'Partly because of understaffing, we see a real churn of staff moving through centres and that's when we don't have that safe, quality environment we need,' UWU early education director Carolyn Smith said. 'This survey reveals it is essential to have long-term staff who are experienced, who are trained and who are confident to raise issues. 'A better early education system requires a national approach in both regulation and funding, and we must listen to educators about what the problems really are. 'We already know the alternative is unacceptable and the cost of failing our children is immeasurable.' Some 2100 educators have responded to the survey as of last week.
News.com.au
01-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
‘I was scared': Parents react to childcare abuse allegations as former educator charged
Parents are demanding answers after abuse allegations surfaced at a Melbourne childcare centre, where more than 70 charges have been laid against a former educator. Police allege Joshua Brown, 26, committed more than 70 offences, including sexual assault and producing child abuse material, while working at the centre between April 2022 and January 2023. Distressed families gathered outside the Point Cook facility on Tuesday, trying to find answers as the allegations sent waves of fear and confusion through the community. The centre remained under a quiet but heavy police presence as parents arrived to collect their children. A father who attended the centre to check on his child said he was 'scared' when he heard the news. 'I was scared,' he told NewsWire. 'I was scared because, well… we can imagine lots of bad things about it.' The man, who asked not to be named, said his child had attended the centre in 2022. He had tried calling for information but was met with silence. 'I called the hotline, but nobody answered,' he said. 'I think they are congested today, so that's why I came (here), but they don't give any information.' Another father who enrolled his child at the centre just last month said he was angry at the lack of communication. He said he only learnt of the allegations on social media and had received 'nothing' from staff at the centre. 'What's the use of a working with children check?' he asked reporters. 'It's a farce. It's a total farce.' Another woman who came to collect a relative from the centre, also said she hadn't been given any information. 'It's very awful,' she said. 'I hope there is … something being done about it.' Authorities confirmed that Mr Brown had worked at 20 centres across Melbourne since 2017, sparking a broad investigation. A second centre in Essendon is also under scrutiny. More than 1200 children have been recommended for infectious disease testing 'out of an abundance of caution,' according to Victoria's chief health officer Christian McGrath. Premier Jacinta Allan said she was 'sickened' by the allegations and promised every health and mental health support would be provided to affected families. The early childhood regulator has launched its own investigation. G8 Education, which operates the Point Cook centre, said all legal background checks had been carried out during Mr Brown's employment and pledged full co-operation with police. Legal firm Shine Lawyers said a class action could be considered if there were systemic failures.
Khaleej Times
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Dharma Productions responds to abuse allegations against 'Homebound' crew
Dharma Productions, the production house behind the critically acclaimed film Homebound, has released an official statement in response to the recent abuse allegations levelled against the film's cinematographer, Pratik Shah. The allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women surfaced on social media platforms, prompting Shah to delete his Instagram account amid a backlash. To this, the production has said no formal complaints were made against Shah. "At Dharma Productions, we have a zero-tolerance policy against inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment toward any individual working with us in any capacity, and we treat sexual harassment cases very seriously," the company said in a statement. It also said that Shah, who worked as a freelance cinematographer on Homebound, was engaged for a limited duration. The production house emphasised that during this period, no complaints were filed with the internal committee established under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment guidelines. Homebound, which was the only Indian film to be featured at this year's Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, has garnered significant international attention. The film, produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, received a standing ovation after its Cannes screening. The film stars an ensemble cast, including Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who is testifying in the Diddy trial? Cassie, Kid Cudi, more who have taken the stand
Sean "Diddy" Combs' ongoing criminal trial has seen multiple insiders take the stand, including a stylist, personal assistants and music industry figures. With the federal sex-crimes case now in its fourth week, including jury selection, jurors have heard from Combs' former girlfriend Cassie Ventura Fine, her ex Kid Cudi and several former employees, who have testified on Combs' alleged abuse and violent behavior. Various officials have also discussed the Grammy-winning rapper's alleged crimes, including his suggested involvement in a 2012 car explosion. Combs, 55, has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court has also heard testimony from Danity Kane alum Dawn Richard; Ventura Fine's mother, Regina Ventura; stylist Deonte Nash; Cassie's makeup artist Mylah Morales and former friend Kerry Morgan; Combs' former assistants Capricorn Clark, George Kaplan, David James and "Mia"; male exotic dancer Sharay Hayes and others, sharing varying degrees of Combs' alleged abuse. Here's a look at who has testified so far in the trial. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. Casandra Ventura Fine (Cassie): Combs' former girlfriend Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi): Ventura Fine's former love interest Dawn Richard: Former Danity Kane member and Diddy – Dirty Money collaborator Regina Ventura: Ventura Fine's mother Capricorn Clark: Combs' former personal assistant and Sean John marketing director Deonte Nash: Former stylist for Combs and Ventura Fine George Kaplan: Combs' former executive assistant "Mia": Combs' former personal assistant and Revolt director of development Sharay Hayes: Former exotic dancer who allegedly had sexual encounters with Ventura Fine Kerry Morgan: Ventura Fine's former best friend David James: Combs' former personal assistant Mylah Morales: Former makeup artist for Combs and Ventura Fine Gerard Gannon: Homeland Security Investigations special agent Dawn Hughes: Psychologist and expert witness Joshua Croft: Homeland Security Investigations special agent Frédéric Zemmour: L'Ermitage Beverly Hills general manager Chris Ignacio: Los Angeles Police Department officer Lance Jimenez: an arson investigator for the Los Angeles Fire Department Obama, Britney Spears, Michael B. Jordan All the celebs mentioned during the Diddy trial Ventura Fine, as the prosecution's star witness, kicked off testimony in Combs' trial with a series of harrowing accounts about the alleged abuse she suffered during her decadelong relationship with Combs. She testified about her participation in "freak offs", a series of drug-fueled sexual performances that Combs has been accused by federal prosecutors of orchestrating, as well as Combs' alleged physical abuse and the rapper's jealousy over her relationships with other men. Cassie Ventura takes the stand: Biggest moments from her Diddy trial testimony Some of Combs' musical peers, fellow rapper Cudi and singer Richard, also took the stand and recalled various instances of Combs being violent toward Ventura Fine and those in her orbit. Cudi, who briefly dated Ventura Fine in 2011, claimed Combs broke into his Los Angeles home and blew up his car in a separate incident in retaliation. Meanwhile, several of Combs' former associates, including ex-assistants James, Kaplan and Clark, said in court that Combs repeatedly threatened them during their employment and subjected them to harsh working conditions. Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is testifying in Diddy trial? Cassie, Kid Cudi take the stand
