Senator Bridget McKenzie, Nationals Senator for Victoria, today expressed delight with an about-face from the Gillard Government to restore funding for Victoria’s occasional childcare services.
Yesterday Labor joined with the Coalition, Greens and Independents to support a motion calling for the reinstatement of $12m in Australian Government support for occasional care.
Senator McKenzie was particularly pleased with the passing of this motion. “For Victoria, this is very welcome news with up to 9000 families and 200 occasional care centres due to lose any form of government support for this service in just over a month,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Many constituents contacted my office disappointed that they could no longer access local ‘take a break’ childcare services.”
Occasional care programs such as ‘take a break’ are often the only form of childcare available to families in small towns.
“The funding cuts presented a cruel blow to local communities,” Senator McKenzie said.
“I hope this vital $12m package, removed from the 2010 and 2011 Federal budgets, is restored as soon as possible.”