Occasional childcare funding cut hurts regional communities, Crook

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 04-August-2011

Nationals WA Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook MP has hit out at the Federal Government’s lack of support for regional childcare centres.

Mr Crook has campaigned over several months to ensure regional communities did not lose out after the Minister for Childcare, Kate Ellis, announced the Federal Government’s decision to cut funding for occasional childcare centres.

Mr Crook invited Minister Ellis to WA where he took her on a tour of the Wheatbelt - meeting with representatives from more than a dozen occasional childcare centres – allowing the Minister to gain a better understanding of the issues childcare centres in regional WA face.

“Despite visiting these centres and hearing their concerns firsthand, the Minister has confirmed to me this week that the Federal Government will no longer fund occasional childcare centres.”

Mr Crook said correspondence he has received from the Minister indicated that no funding for occasional childcare centres would be forthcoming from the Federal Government.

“Instead of resolving the issue, the Minister has passed the buck and suggested childcare centres take this issue up with the State Government.”

Mr Crook said the funding cuts could see regional communities left without childcare options.

“The Federal Government needs to understand that a one-size-fits-all model of funding is not tenable in small, regional communities.

“Some flexibility must be given to allow childcare centres that only need to operate on a part-time basis to continue to access funding.”

Mr Crook said his office has received much feedback on this issue from childcare centres.

“They are bitterly disappointed in this outcome, as am I,” Mr Crook said.

“To have the Minister hear their concerns firsthand and not act to address the issue is a great let down for these communities who put every effort into presenting their case to the Minister.”

Mr Crook said access to childcare for regional communities was integral.

“In the interests of creating sustainable and viable regional communities, we need to ensure services such as childcare are available.”

Mr Crook acknowledged the work done by Nationals WA leader Brendon Grylls MLA and State Member for the Agricultural Region, Mia Davies MLC in lobbying for a better outcome for these childcare centres.

“I understand the WA State Government, through Royalties for Regions has committed to fully fund occasional childcare services until the end of 2012, and I commend them for that.

“The fact remains, childcare is a Federal Government responsibility and it is incredibly disappointing that the Federal Government continues to ignore its responsibilities in regional WA.”

See this article on the member's website