Chair of abuse-hit childcare operator resigns after Four Corners expose
Nona quit as NPA chair. An ABC investigation revealed gaps that allowed worker Edwina Ling to assault three children 82 times.
The chair of NPA Family and Community Services resigned this week. An ABC Four Corners investigation exposed gaps in child safety and governance at the Injinoo centre in Far North Queensland.
Worker Edwina Ling was jailed in June for 82 counts of assault on three boys over three days in 2024. The youngest was only 13 months old.
A judge called her offending "monstrous, cruel and sadistic". Ugari Nona stepped down after 14 years without explaining her decision.
The investigation uncovered that no staff were reprimanded. Yet the state regulator alleged serious gaps in supervision, governance and risk management.
Police also contradicted claims that NPA alerted them right away. A community member reported the abuse after Ling was dismissed.
- 82 counts over three days in 2024
- Assault count
- 13 months old
- Youngest victim
- 14 years before resignation
- Chair tenure
Why it mattersThe case exposes hundreds of Australian childcare services operating outside national safety standards. It has brought back calls for stronger supervision rules and better safeguards across the sector.
AustraliaParents nationwide are now questioning the safety of childcare services outside the National Quality Framework. State and territory ministers meet Monday to address gaps exposed by the case, and there are growing calls for an independent childcare commission to prevent future abuse.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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