[Greens-Media] Early ABC Learning closures show greater Govt role needed

Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young) Gemma.Clark at aph.gov.au
Wed Dec 24 14:03:35 EST 2008


Wednesday 24 December 2008

Early ABC Learning closures show greater Govt role needed

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says reports of ABC Learning centres closing earlier than expected are alarming, and is urging the Federal Government to play a more active role in childcare from now on.

Fifty-five ABC Learning centres were slated for closure on December 31 this year, but reports have emerged of some centres in Melbourne and Sydney closing permanently from today, with toys and other supplies being thrown in the rubbish.

“This whole ABC Learning saga has been handed poorly by the Federal Government,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“It’s nothing less than a shemozzle.

“It’s not good enough that parents find out from a sign on the gate at their local centre that it will close earlier than they had been told – that’s a whole working week that parents and workers have been left in the lurch for.

“It makes for an uncertain and stressful Christmas for those affected.”

Senator Hanson-Young said the Federal Government must play a more active role in childcare in Australia in the future.

“We’ve seen from the ABC Learning collapse that the Government has taken its hands off the wheel when it comes to childcare. From January 1, it must take a more active role in reshaping this essential service in Australia.

“Never again should an essential service like childcare be corporatised and manipulated by a profit-driven entity.

“As we can see from the ABC Learning example, it’s not just creditors who suffer when it falls over – it’s children, parents and workers too.

“From now on, the Government must stop the blame game that parents and workers alike are so sick of, and provide leadership and stability for the whole sector.

“It’s nothing less than the care of our youngest children that we are talking about here – and that should be the highest priority.”


Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760




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