Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has urged the Federal Government to support her motion to hold an emergency summit on childcare, following vague responses to her questions to the Government in Question Time today.

Senator Hanson-Young asked Senator Kim Carr, the Minister representing Education Minister Julia Gillard in the Senate:
• when Minister Gillard was first aware of ABC Learning’s financial troubles,
• who the members of the Government’s ‘taskforce’ to tackle the problem are,
• and who the ‘taskforce’ have met with so far.

Inconclusive responses were given to each of these questions.

“Given the distinct lack of illumination provided by Minister Carr’s answers, it seems that the Government have little planned as to what to do beyond December 31, when its $22 million prop-up expires,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“Is the $22 million the full extent of the Government’s plan?

“If so, it’s a quick-fix without much thought into the long-term detail.”

Senator Hanson-Young urged the Government to support her motion to set up the emergency childcare summit when she moves it in the Senate tomorrow.

“The Government can make good on its unsatisfactory answers in Question Time today by supporting my call for this summit tomorrow,” she said.

“The community sector, those working on the ground who hold the childcare expertise, and Government must be brought together to talk about this essential social service,” she said.

“We need to open a dialogue to determine the way forward for childcare in Australia.

“Early childhood education and childcare deserves to be stable, sustainable, and of high quality for all of our next generation.”

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760