Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Australian childcare sector needs an urgent re-structure, with turmoil in the sector not inspiring confidence in parents or workers.

“The current childcare system in Australia is flawed,” she said.

“We need to re-think how we value and deliver childcare in this country.

“It’s an essential service that needs to be better supported by Government.”

Senator Hanson-Young responded to comments made by Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childcare Education and Child Care Maxine McKew in Adelaide yesterday.

“Ms McKew said that early childhood education is a priority for the Government – yet the way it has handled the ABC Learning collapse and the current turmoil in the sector suggests that statement is lip service,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“It’s well and good to make available an extra 1500 university places for early childhood educators, but what is the incentive for entering this occupation when childcare employers are advocating that their already low-paid workers should be paid even less?”

Senator Hanson-Young welcomed moves to establish national standards in childcare.

“It is good to see the Government wanting to decide on common standards across the board in accreditation, training, quality standards and so on,” she said.

“What we must ensure is that the standard agreed upon isn’t just the lowest common denominator, but the right standards to deliver the best outcomes for children and families.”

Senator Hanson-Young called for a re-think of how the Government provides funding support for childcare.

“It may be that the current method of rebates and benefits is not the most effective or affordable mechanism for parents, and may not deliver the best outcomes for children,” she said.

“A starting point for reform could be stopping taxpayer funds going to childcare providers who are listed on the stockmarket.

“The needs of kids, mums, dads and carers in delivering the essential service of childcare must come before the profits of shareholders.”

The Senate’s Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee is conducting
an Inquiry into the Provision of Childcare, due to report back by 18 June 2009.