United Voice News
Childcare professionals have lots to tell Productivity Commission
The new Productivity Commission study is one more step towards securing a quality childcare system in Australia.
Childcare professionals across Australia welcome the new Productivity Commission study of factors impacting on the early childhood, schooling and vocational training workforces. The study was announced today by the Deputy Prime Minister and Assistant Treasurer.
Sue Lines, Assistant National Secretary of LHMU the childcare union says.
“Childcare professionals will have lots to tell the new Productivity Commission study.
“Our members are strong supporters of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) quality reforms on childcare, but they know the reforms cannot become a reality without parallel reform throughout the whole childcare system.
“By investigating remuneration, working conditions, retention, training and support structures the Productivity Commission will go to the core of the outstanding reforms.
“For example, by 2014 all workers in the sector will need a minimum Certificate III qualification. Our members are keen supporters of this new standard but at a cost $2,000+ this qualification is out of their price range on their award income of $28,964 pa gross.
“Another critical area we’ll be encouraging the Commission to examine is the current childcare funding system which is inflationary and long past its use by date.
“LHMU will also put to the Commission that there should be operator accountability, including free publicly available web-based information on operators’ licences.
"LHMU members look foward to working with the Productivity Commission, the government and the whole sector on finding real solutions to the structural problems facing this critical social and economic infrastructure,” says Sue Lines.
