Federal Government red tape will force regional child cares to close; Davies, Grylls
Author: Mia Davies
Published on: 27-May-2010
Member for Central Wheatbelt, Brendon Grylls and Member for the Agricultural Region, Mia Davies have called on the Federal Government to review current child care legislation to better cater for small, regional day care facilities.
“Red tape and a Canberra-centric attitude are creating major barriers for small Wheatbelt communities trying to provide quality child care solutions for working families,” Mr Grylls said.
“The Federal Government’s child care regulations do not take into account the unique operating requirements of small, regional communities in Western Australia.”
The family assistance legislation states child care centres must open five days a week to classify as a long hour day care facility and be eligible for Child Care Benefit (CCB) funding.
In many regional communities there isn’t the demand or population to support a full time, five day a week child care facility.
Ms Davies said this shouldn’t mean there is no child care option available or that eligible parents miss out on the CCB.
“We have a wealth of highly educated, skilled labour – often young mums – who are kept out of the workforce because they can’t access quality, affordable care for their kids,” she said.
“The Liberal-National State Government has a strong commitment to building regional communities, as reflected in our Royalties for Regions program, it’s a shame the Federal Government continues to overlook services in regional WA.”
Ms Davies said she had been working closely with Member for Central Wheatbelt, Brendon Grylls and the Wheatbelt Organisation of Children’s Services to raise the issue at a Federal level on behalf of the community.
“The regional communities of Cunderdin, Darkan and Dalwallinu have all been offered temporary exemptions to enable them to operate part-time, but there is no certainty that exemptions will continue to be granted,” she said.
“Unfortunately Minister Kate Ellis has declined to consider changing the rules, meaning many centres across the Wheatbelt may be forced to run at a loss, or close.”
Mr Grylls said the Rudd Government’s rhetoric about supporting working families actually translates to working families living in major population centres.
“The legislation is centred around city day care, where they have the population and demand to stay open five days a week,” he said.
Both Ms Davies and Mr Grylls said they would welcome the Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education, Childcare and Youth, Kate Ellis to tour Wheatbelt day care centres to better understand their operating requirements.
“I invite Minister Ellis to visit WA and see firsthand the impact the inflexible legislation is having on Wheatbelt communities,” Mr Grylls said.
