December 11, 2008
No Gippsland ABC childcare centres are included on the list to close at the end of this year, which was released by the receiver of ABC Learning Ltd, McGrath Nichol, yesterday.
Five Gippsland centres in Traralgon (three centres), Morwell (Commercial Road), and Bairnsdale have been listed as viable centres which will remain open under the restructured ABC group’s operation.
All defence sites, including RAAF Base East Sale, have been advised they will stay open with Government support until new management arrangements are in place.
Five others in Maffra, Sale (two centres), Morwell (Bridle Road) and Lakes Entrance have been given a three month reprieve, with the Government announcing it will support these centres until March.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called on the Government to urgently begin discussions with local child care providers to firm up arrangements as soon as possible.
“The three month extension means parents can resume their normal arrangements after Christmas, but in effect, nothing has changed. There is still no certainty for Gippsland families who rely on ABC childcare,” Mr Chester said.
“The Government needs to urgently begin working with local providers to finalise arrangements for the long-term.”
Mr Chester called for incentives for local childcare providers to take over failing ABC childcare centres and make sure places remain available for Gippsland families next year.
“Local families need to be able to plan for next year and to know that they will have access to high quality childcare,” Mr Chester said.
“Childcare should be considered an essential service in our modern society.
“When it comes to attracting skilled workers to regional areas there is an expectation that quality childcare services will be available for parents.”
Mr Chester said he was aware of not-for-profit providers that were prepared to take over some of the ailing ABC centres. He said Latrobe City Council had also expressed an interest in operating the Latrobe Valley centres.
“But they are going to need support in the transitional phase and government subsidies to assist them to meet the financial shortfall,” Mr Chester said.
“The Government needs to step in and protect families and provide them with some security for the year ahead.”
Mr Chester said the Government should also consider staff entitlements as part of any bail out package.
“These are trained and dedicated staff who stand to lose entitlements such as annual leave and long service leave, accrued over many years of loyal service,” Mr Chester said.
“The entitlements of ABC childcare staff must be considered as part of any bail out package.”