United Voice News
Opposition threat to gamble with quality of Aussie childcare
LHMU the childcare union is appalled by a report that Dr Sharman Stone, Opposition spokesperson on Early Childhood Education and Childcare says if elected a Coalition government would review the National Quality Framework.
Sue Lines, Assistant National Secretary of LHMU says “The real disaster for childcare would be a Liberal Government that dropped the quality reforms agreed to by all Australian Governments on behalf of Australian families.
“The quality reforms are absolutely essential for ensuring Australian children get the best possible start in life.
“Without these reforms childcare professionals will continue to leave the industry in droves.
“The National Quality Framework is the result of long and intensive consultations with all key stakeholders: the community, academics, child development experts, providers and staff. The overwhelming response was in favour of reform.
“The Coalition must be desperate to resort to scare tactics involving the youngest and most vulnerable members of our community. Everybody involved in the childcare sector knows that these reforms will be slowly phased in over a number of years. The cost to parents will be gradual and minimal.
“The reforms are designed to ensure childcare professionals have enough time to provide high quality care and education to all children. Without these reforms workloads are too high and this simply can’t happen.
“It’s the same old same old from the opposition, in 11 years of government there were no new ideas and now Tony Abbott and his crew want to take away the first substantial reforms in almost 20 years. It is frustrating that all the Opposition is proposing is a review of an agreed program and no new ideas. This uncertainty won’t help families or childcare professionals.
“When it comes to childcare, voters have to ask is do they want a government that has proven its commitment to quality childcare and the development of Australian children or one that wants to jeopardise these reforms,” says Sue Lines.
