[Greens-Media] Greens call for local government involvement in ABC Learning solution

[Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Friday 14 November 2008

Greens call for local government involvement in ABC Learning solution

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Federal Government must stay
closely involved in the transfer of ABC Learning Centres to new owners
and operators, and pointed to local government as part of the solution
to stabilising childcare in Australia.

So far the Government has not revealed what it will do beyond its $22
million contribution to keep ABC centres operating until December 31
this year, but has called for expressions of interest to be made to the
receiver. 

"The reports this morning about parents withdrawing their children en
masse from ABC Learning Centres are alarming, though not surprising
under the circumstances," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"The Government's current cloak-and-dagger approach to communicating
with parents and those in the sector about this situation is only
exacerbating the level of anxiety.

"It's not fair to ask parents to go on their Christmas break without
knowing if they can return to work in 2009 with stable childcare
arrangements."

Senator Hanson-Young said that the Government, and not just the
receiver, needed to be involved in the expressions of interest process
of finding new owners and operators for ABC centres.

"The possibility of another giant corporate entity taking over ABC
Learning and continuing to run its centres for blind profit must be
ruled out by the Government," she said.

"If that happens, we're back to square one, with childcare centres being
run with the interests of shareholders in mind, rather than the
interests of our youngest children."

Senator Hanson-Young said her proposed emergency childcare summit, which
was supported by the Senate this week, was a necessary step in
stabilising Australian childcare beyond the end of this year.

"One of the key stakeholders in the sector who should have
representatives at the table for this discussion is local government,
who already own and facilitate the operation of some high-quality,
non-profit childcare in this country."

Speaking from Melbourne, Senator Hanson-Young said she supported Greens'
candidate for Lord Mayor of Melbourne Adam Bandt's pledge for Melbourne
City Council to purchase two ABC Learning Centres in the Melbourne
municipality if he is elected.

"There are already eight childcare centres run by Melbourne City
Council," she said. 

"Having the Melbourne Central and East Melbourne ABC centres taken on by
the council would provide a continuity of care for the children who
currently attend them.

"This proposal from the Greens' Adam Bandt is an example of the shift in
mindset we need to overcome this childcare crisis."

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760