A huge crowd attended the Childcare rally on September 23, 2002
Childcare Rally sends Government a message
A rally organised by the ACT Childcare Campaign Committee
outside Parliament House today highlighted the importance of quality childcare,
and highlighted the continuing under-valuing of childcare professionals and the
work that they do.
The childcare rally was a fantastic show of support by
parents for childcare professionals and the crucial role childcare plays in the
community. The theme of the rally was ‘childcare everyone’s
responsibility’ and ‘recognising the expertise of childcare
professionals’.
The rally was addressed by parent Alison Neil, childcare
professionals Veronica Webster and Jane Marshall, Childcare Campaign Committee
convenor Susan McCarthy, ACT Senator Kate Lundy, and Shadow Minister for
Children and Youth, Nicola Roxon MP.
Parent Alison Neil told the rally, “The Government needs
to recognise that the funding to the childcare sector through the childcare
benefit is too low. We have such high expectations of these childcare
professionals so why, as a society, do we pay them so little. What more
important job is there than to be entrusted with the care and development of a
child?”
Veronica Webster, a young childcare professional, spoke of
the low pay despite the formal qualifications required for childcare workers.
Childcare professionals with two years formal training are paid as little as
$11.50 per hour.
ACT Senator Kate Lundy said “We need to raise Government
and community awareness of the value of childcare professionals and the
importance of the provision of quality childcare in our society.
Nicola Roxon MP told the rally,
“An enormous amount of money had been lost from childcare since the Howard
government first won power in 1996. There is $800 less per every childcare
place in this country since the Howard government came to office in 1996.
Ms Roxon said the government was
spending 20 per cent less per childcare place than when it took over from Labor.
The Government now spends $2,962 per place compared to $3,771 in 1995.
Jane Marshall, a childcare professional, entertained the
large crowd with humorous songs (click here for lyrics).
Media comment: Alison Neil 0412 697 687. Kate
Lundy 0419 421 553
Online parents’ network for a Childcare campaign launched
today
A parents’ network designed to be accessed via the Internet has been
launched at the Central Canberra Family Day Care Centre in Acton today.
This web page is designed to involve parents in the campaign to raise
awareness about the benefits of childcare to the community as a whole.
The theme of the campaign is Childcare - Everyone’s Responsibility.
Alison Neil, a Canberra parent, launched the Web page, supported by members
of the campaign committee, ACT Senator Kate Lundy, Nicola Roxon MP, Shadow
Minister for Children and Youth, Annette Ellis MP, Katy Gallagher, MLA.
The childcare campaign was initiated following a public meeting of parents,
childcare professionals, employers and union representatives convened by Kate
Lundy. A campaign committee was established and resolved to create a parents
network to provide a means for parents to involve themselves in the community
campaign.
“Unions, employers, childcare professionals, childcare workers, government
and parents all have a role to play in recognising the value of childcare
professionals and this web site forms part of the childcare awareness campaign,”
Senator Lundy said.
The Childcare campaign website can be found
here.
Media Contact: Simon Tatz on 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295
