BPW Australia

Childcare Issue – April 2006.

Increasing the availability of quality but affordable childcare was the main focus of a 2004 Conference resolution. Part of the resolution asked that BPW lobby the Federal government to consider:

•	that financial support be increased to assist families on low incomes meet the cost of childcare, and
•	combining Federal funding for preschool and childcare with State education funding.

Since the conference in 2004 childcare is still on the radar and the demand is still there and growing. Federal Government promised more childcare places and offered a childcare tax rebate for those on low incomes, but this has not “fixed” childcare. More changes to childcare are likely in the 2006 Federal budget, as the increased demand created by the Welfare to Work legislation is unlikely to be met.
The issue of Childcare is one of the issues that will be discussed at a joint Secretariat meeting in June 2006, at which BPW will be represented through S4W. I would welcome input from BPW members on the issue of childcare so that I can contribute those ideas at the June S4W and joint Secretariat meeting.

Email me at toddy@adelaide.on.net.

Yvonne Todd, VPEP, BPW Australia

A recent article written by Marie Coleman for Canberra Times, summarised the need for State and Federal funding for childcare, and she indicated that there is a move in government circles to look at the concept.

Part of Marie Coleman’s article is reproduced below.

…..Everybody has a plan to remedy the child care shortage, it seems. Some want more tax advantages for nannies, some want more flexible working hours (as if, with the new IR laws coming into effect), even the Treasurer hints of more money in the upcoming Budget, and ACoSS has produced a reasoned set of proposals about Commonwealth policies.

Trouble is, as yet no-one seems willing to grasp the nettle that children's services is yet another policy area where States (and Territories) and the Commonwealth need to make common cause. They need to plan together, given the over-lapping of responsibilities. States have responsibility for education - but have now minimal commitment overall to pre-schooling. States' health agencies have responsibilities for infant and maternal health, their welfare agencies for families with problems.

The Commonwealth funds a range of programs across these areas, but not in a consistent coordinated pattern with States. So no single Commonwealth plan, be it tax treatments or more cash, can meet the full range of problems.

One sensible option would be for the relevant Ministers to refer the matter to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). That process seems to be bearing some fruit in such areas a health workforce and mental health policies. There'd be merit in COAG inviting the Productivity Commission to produce a report covering current policy and practice of both States and the Commonwealth, likely future demand for access to services, workforce issues, together with possible options for a new approach, taking into account both the needs for early intervention strategies to enhance the development of the very young, and as well meet the demand for pre-school, child care, and before and after school care. T

he Federal Minister for Education is now said to have a paper in preparation for COAG (through the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet) on the relationship between a year of pre-school for every child, and child care. Press "leaks" suggest that all financing mechanisms could be on the table. If accurate, this is a good beginning………..

To see the more information on this article access the S4W web page: www.security4women.com


© Business & Professional Women Australia 2006	Tell us what you think of our website. Your feedback is valuable!	Email: webmistress \| enquiries \| BPW Australia