Page 5791 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 7 December 2011
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Research commissioned by the LHMU, the childcare union, shows that over 90 per cent of parents support childcare reform and 84 per cent would support a small increase in fees if it led to better education and care. The survey commissioned by the union actually surveyed more than 1,500 parents. In meeting the demand for childcare we need to recognise that investment in our childcare workers is vital and ensure that workforce shortages are addressed through a commitment to assist with professional development and training of childcare workers so that our already strong local childcare sector can be a more attractive career option.
We know that it is not always possible to control childcare costs and that centres have to be independently viable. The government is limited in what it can do in this regard. It can, however, work to ensure that the regulatory burden for childcare providers, imposed to ensure the standards around health and safety are addressed, are not too severe and do not result in higher costs and then, of course, those charges being passed on to families.
The ACT government have a role in working with their federal counterparts to do whatever is possible to bring costs associated with the high demand and the childcare industry skill shortages down. This may include, as recommended by the Productivity Commission, considering alternative structures for subsidies that improve the targeting of childcare assistance.
Access to childcare in locations right across ACT which enable families to drop off and pick up their children in line with their work and family demands is also essential. In turn, it is important that the ACT government ensures these childcare centres are afforded some security of accommodation so that the childcare providers can offer security to their staff and the parents using their services. These childcare centres form an important part of many families’ lives in the ACT as they juggle the balance between work, life and family and what is in the best interests of their children. This is particularly important when we talk about the place where their child is being taken care of in their absence. Parents want a caring, supportive and stable environment integrated with high quality education programs.
The ACT Greens are committed to ensuring that there is access to quality childcare facilities in the ACT and that there are good conditions for childcare workers. There is a considerable amount that needs to be done to assist particularly low income families in relation to the cost of childcare. We ask that the ACT government continue to work with their federal colleagues to seek relief for those parents.
In relation to paragraph (2)(a) of the motion, it is my understanding that Ms Burch intends to respond to the Productivity Commission’s report in 2012. Because of the national implications and the need to seek advice from national forums such as the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs, who meet only a few times throughout the year, more time is required to table a response. In the amendment put forward by the government they have committed to give details of the research and modelling undertaken to develop their response. The ACT Greens support the amendment proposed by the government to table this report by July 2012.
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