Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Federal Government must stay closely involved in the transfer of ABC Learning Centres to new owners and operators, and pointed to local government as part of the solution to stabilising childcare in Australia.

So far the Government has not revealed what it will do beyond its $22 million contribution to keep ABC centres operating until December 31 this year, but has called for expressions of interest to be made to the receiver.

“The reports this morning about parents withdrawing their children en masse from ABC Learning Centres are alarming, though not surprising under the circumstances,” said Senator Hanson-Young. “The Government’s current cloak-and-dagger approach to communicating with parents and those in the sector about this situation is only exacerbating the level of anxiety.

“It’s not fair to ask parents to go on their Christmas break without knowing if they can return to work in 2009 with stable childcare arrangements.”

Senator Hanson-Young said that the Government, and not just the receiver, needed to be involved in the expressions of interest process of finding new owners and operators for ABC centres.

“The possibility of another giant corporate entity taking over ABC Learning and continuing to run its centres for blind profit must be ruled out by the Government,” she said.

“If that happens, we’re back to square one, with childcare centres being run with the interests of shareholders in mind, rather than the interests of our youngest children.”

Senator Hanson-Young said her proposed emergency childcare summit, which was supported by the Senate this week, was a necessary step in stabilising Australian childcare beyond the end of this year.

“One of the key stakeholders in the sector who should have representatives at the table for this discussion is local government, who already own and facilitate the operation of some high-quality, non-profit childcare in this country.”

Speaking from Melbourne, Senator Hanson-Young said she supported Greens’ candidate for Lord Mayor of Melbourne Adam Bandt’s pledge for Melbourne City Council to purchase two ABC Learning Centres in the Melbourne municipality if he is elected.

“There are already eight childcare centres run by Melbourne City Council,” she said.

“Having the Melbourne Central and East Melbourne ABC centres taken on by the council would provide a continuity of care for the children who currently attend them.

“This proposal from the Greens’ Adam Bandt is an example of the shift in mindset we need to overcome this childcare crisis.”

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760