Canberra pats itself on the back while WA picks up the slack, Crook
Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 16-November-2011
NATIONALS WA Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook MP has hit out at the Federal Government’s recent announcement of additional childcare placements – labelling it as “two-faced.”
Federal Minister for Childcare, Kate Ellis, recently announced that the Federal Government would fund an additional 1,500 placements in occasional childcare and In-Home childcare centres.
Mr Crook said the Federal Government’s claim of supporting occasional childcare in regional Australia was a sham.
“In the 2010 Budget, the Federal Government slashed support for occasional childcare by 52 per cent – and now the Minister claims she supports occasional childcare,” Mr Crook said.
“This budget cut placed the livelihood of 21 occasional childcare centres in regional WA in jeopardy.
“It should be noted that 17 of these centres provided the only childcare option for their communities.
“Only through the support of The Nationals WA and Royalties for Regions were these occasional childcare centres able to keep their doors open.”
In March this year Mr Crook took Minister Ellis on a tour of the Wheatbelt in an effort to persuade the Minister to retain funding for occasional childcare centres.
“Instead of lending a lifeline to these regional communities, the Minister passed the buck onto the State,” Mr Crook said.
“Now the Minister is patting herself on the back by announcing additional childcare placements, in childcare centres that may have closed down if not for the work of The Nationals WA.
“If the Minister can find the funding to deliver 1,500 additional childcare placements, why won’t she deliver the funding needed to support the occasional childcare centres which she admits are so vital to regional communities?”
Mr Crook said access to childcare for regional communities was integral – allowing parents to continue to contribute to the community and participate in the workforce while their children are cared for.
Mr Crook acknowledged the work done by The Nationals WA to deliver ongoing funding for occasional childcare centres until December 2012.
“While the Federal Government has sent a clear message that they do not see value in retaining occasional childcare in the regions, The Nationals WA have ensured that regional communities are not left in the cold by yet another Canberra cash grab.”
See this article on the member's website