Local Governments seeking to buy or operate ABC Learning centres should be the clear focus of all parties trying to secure the future of childcare in this country, according to Australian Services Union (ASU) National Secretary Paul Slape.
The ASU believes the Federal Government and ABC Learning administrators, McGrathNicol, should give priority to Local Governments seeking to buy or operate ABC Learning Centres.
Paul Slape said that with the more recent collapse of a second for profit childcare provider, CFK Childcare Services, every opportunity should be given to Local Governments that have an impressive record in providing childcare services across the country.
The ASU covers childcare workers in Local Government and it is the largest union in the Local Government sector. It has written to Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and to Local Government Associations seeking Local and Federal Government support for councils to
take over some of the 1,100 centres affected by the collapse.
“The ASU believes that the collapse of ABC Learning has provided an opportunity to reconnect families to their local community services through a major return of childcare services to Local Governments,” Paul Slape said.
“There are clear and obvious issues in having childcare operated by the private sector.
“Local Government already provides maternal and child health services and it simply makes sense that it is the long term home for childcare services. It is about building on existing strengths.
“We should be looking for a long term solution and that solution has to be Local Government, which has diligently delivered childcare services for many years. We believe that there is an opportunity for local councils and the Federal Government to work with the ABC Learning administrators to move services to local councils where appropriate.”
The ASU raised the issue with councils from across the country at the recent Australian Council of Local Governments meeting in Canberra.
“We raised it with various groups and individuals,” Paul Slape said. “Victorian councils have taken a leading role in providing childcare for some years. Some of the other States have not been as involved.
“Some said it was important that this doesn’t become another form of cost shifting.”
For more information contact Paul Slape, telephone 0418 996 360.
