Mr WARREN - 2007-02-22
As every young family in my electorate can tell you, childcare is an essential service for Territory families. I know the lack of capital support to childcare centres by the Howard government has put upward pressure on childcare fees. What is the Territory government doing to assist Territory families who need childcare?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. I know he is a very strong advocate of the childcare centres in the rural area. Yes, childcare is a federal government responsibility, however, it is a responsibility that they seem keen to walk away from. We have seen the attitude expressed by both the federal government and the CLP opposition that childcare is a business, an industry. This government strongly disagrees with that attitude. It is an essential service, a service on which Territory families fundamentally rely.
It is with this support for childcare that we introduced a families package, with an innovative commitment of $500 000 for playground equipment for not-for-profit community childcare services. I want to update the House on the implementation of that election commitment. We have playgrounds where our young children build their physical and social skills and where they begin their learning path. That $500 000 was identified to assist these centres to provide essential playground equipment, and to upgrade equipment, including shade structures, which are very important.
In the first round of grants we introduced last year, playground equipment was provided to some 28 services for approximately $187 000. This week, we have approved a further 46 grants across the Territory, bringing the total funding allocated to that $500 000 commitment.
I congratulate all those childcare centres that applied and were successful. They will be able to provide opportunities such as bike riding, climbing equipment, water play, softball areas and shade. Those 46 grants are right across the Territory. Examples of where they are going are: Minyerri JET Crche will receive $6500 to install soft fall, a sand pit and fencing; Jirnari Childcare Centre will put up a shade cloth and purchase new play equipment to the value of $7000; the Central Australian Toy Library and 3-Year-Old Kindy will receive a grant of $7460 to install fencing, a water bubbler and playground equipment.
It is worth noting that 32 grants have gone to remote communities or town camps. I am pleased to say that we are a government that is working in partnership with our community-managed services. Under the federal government regime, childcare centres would be forced to raise their childcare fees to meet these essential equipment requirements. I call on the federal government and the member for Greatorex to stop thinking of childcare as an industry. It is an essential service to families. They provide a key role in the learning pathways of our children.
I acknowledge the fine work done by my agency, the Department of Family and Community Services, and some of the staff are here today, for the great work they did in assessing these applications and taking these great programs to our childcare centres.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. I know he is a very strong advocate of the childcare centres in the rural area. Yes, childcare is a federal government responsibility, however, it is a responsibility that they seem keen to walk away from. We have seen the attitude expressed by both the federal government and the CLP opposition that childcare is a business, an industry. This government strongly disagrees with that attitude. It is an essential service, a service on which Territory families fundamentally rely.
It is with this support for childcare that we introduced a families package, with an innovative commitment of $500 000 for playground equipment for not-for-profit community childcare services. I want to update the House on the implementation of that election commitment. We have playgrounds where our young children build their physical and social skills and where they begin their learning path. That $500 000 was identified to assist these centres to provide essential playground equipment, and to upgrade equipment, including shade structures, which are very important.
In the first round of grants we introduced last year, playground equipment was provided to some 28 services for approximately $187 000. This week, we have approved a further 46 grants across the Territory, bringing the total funding allocated to that $500 000 commitment.
I congratulate all those childcare centres that applied and were successful. They will be able to provide opportunities such as bike riding, climbing equipment, water play, softball areas and shade. Those 46 grants are right across the Territory. Examples of where they are going are: Minyerri JET Crche will receive $6500 to install soft fall, a sand pit and fencing; Jirnari Childcare Centre will put up a shade cloth and purchase new play equipment to the value of $7000; the Central Australian Toy Library and 3-Year-Old Kindy will receive a grant of $7460 to install fencing, a water bubbler and playground equipment.
It is worth noting that 32 grants have gone to remote communities or town camps. I am pleased to say that we are a government that is working in partnership with our community-managed services. Under the federal government regime, childcare centres would be forced to raise their childcare fees to meet these essential equipment requirements. I call on the federal government and the member for Greatorex to stop thinking of childcare as an industry. It is an essential service to families. They provide a key role in the learning pathways of our children.
I acknowledge the fine work done by my agency, the Department of Family and Community Services, and some of the staff are here today, for the great work they did in assessing these applications and taking these great programs to our childcare centres.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016