United Voice News
Sale of ABC centres - stakes are high!
LHMU welcomes today’s announcement by court-appointed Receivers, PPB Australia, have received around 180 binding offers to buy the 241 ABC2 Group childcare centres.
“For families and childcare workers alike today’s announcement is an important step in ending the uncertainty and anxiety of the four months since the collapse of ABC Learning,” says LHMU Assistant National Secretary, Sue Lines.
“The 241 centres are spread across every State and Territory, employing 3,600 staff who provide early childhood education and care to approximately 20,000 children.
“In childcare, as in all essential infrastructure, stability is vital. Workers and families are well-aware that Federal Government funding for these centres ends on 31 March. We, therefore, urge the Receivers of ABC2 Group to make a timely announcement on the successful bidders.
“Important lessons have been learned from the debacle of the collapse of ABC Learning. I hope the ultimate decision by Receivers PPB Australia confirms those lessons have been learnt.
“Childcare workers have views about what makes a good centre. They want quality childcare standards in their centres and they want to meet with new owners as soon as possible.
“Like childcare workers, the community wants high quality sustainable childcare which puts the interests of families, childcare workers and the economy first. We need more diversity, more not-for-profit operators and, importantly, operators who are in the childcare sector for the long haul. This is the opportunity to achieve that.
“This will be especially relevant because next month McGrathNicol, the creditor-appointed Receivers of the remaining 720 ABC Learning centres, will begin the process of selling these centres.
“Families and workers have the right to know who will be operating both the ABC2 Group and ABC Learning centres, who owns the land the centres are on and who has ultimate control of each centre. Secrecy is inappropriate. After all, this is about babies and very young children. Transparency and accountability are essential,” says Sue Lines.
