[Greens-Media] Childcare must be high on mayors' summit agenda

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

Monday 17 November 2008

Childcare must be high on mayors' summit agenda

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is urging the Federal Government to
ensure that the issue of childcare is high on the agenda at this week's
Australian Council of Local Governments, given the uncertainty in the
childcare sector following the collapse of ABC Learning.

More than 500 mayors will meet with key ministers in Canberra this week.
The Australian Services Union has already written to Education Minister
Julia Gillard to ask for support for local government to take over some
of the ABC Learning childcare centres.
"This summit of local governments is a golden opportunity for the
Federal Government and councils to work together on fixing this
country's childcare woes," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"Local government already provides a portion of Australia's
high-quality, not-for-profit childcare, as well as maternal and child
health services.

"With the right support from their federal counterpart, local
governments could play a crucial role in transforming Australian
childcare services away from the unstable, profit-driven industry it
unfortunately has become.

"The early education and care of our youngest children needs to be
accessible, affordable, sustainable and of high quality - and local
government is a natural fit for delivering this model of childcare.

"The Federal Government has still not indicated what will happen to the
100,000 long daycare places currently held by ABC Learning Centres after
December 31, when its $22 million prop-up expires.

"To the Greens, it seems obvious that a constructive partnership between
the Federal Government and local councils on the matter of childcare
would be a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760