Media Release
5 September 2014
Shadow Education Minister Anthony Lynham is calling on the Newman
Government to use its influence with Tony Abbott to end damaging
uncertainty over pre-school funding.
“After months of dithering which has plunged every preschool and kindergarten in Australia into crippling uncertainty, the Abbott Government has finally announced a one year extension to early childhood education funding,” said Dr Lynham.
“That means that, throughout Queensland, the preschools and kindies that parents rely on have a one year reprieve."
“There is no certainty of funding beyond next year and the preschools and kindergartens which have been in limbo for months with no guarantee of funding for next year are likely to face exactly the same crippling uncertainty again."
“It is scandalous that Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne is prepared to play a game of chicken with the states and with the thousands of people who work in pre-school education."
“The consequences of the Federal Government withdrawing funding for preschools and kindies would be devastating. Hours would be slashed, fees would rise and services would be shut down, forcing parents to find alternatives.”
Dr Lynham said Labor introduced Universal Access funding in 2008 to ensure every Australian child would have access to 15 hours of quality education in the year before school.
“The former Federal Labor Government committed $660 million over two years to fund the program, but the Abbott Government had previously refused to commit to it, leaving establishments in the dark about their funding for next year."
“It is intolerable for this annual period of uncertainty to continue. It benefits no-one and is exceptionally damaging to long-term planning."
“If the Newman Government has any influence with Tony Abbott and Christopher Pyne it should tell them to do what’s right for Queensland, right for parents and staff and right for children and guarantee funding for early childhood education for the long term.”
“After months of dithering which has plunged every preschool and kindergarten in Australia into crippling uncertainty, the Abbott Government has finally announced a one year extension to early childhood education funding,” said Dr Lynham.
“That means that, throughout Queensland, the preschools and kindies that parents rely on have a one year reprieve."
“There is no certainty of funding beyond next year and the preschools and kindergartens which have been in limbo for months with no guarantee of funding for next year are likely to face exactly the same crippling uncertainty again."
“It is scandalous that Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne is prepared to play a game of chicken with the states and with the thousands of people who work in pre-school education."
“The consequences of the Federal Government withdrawing funding for preschools and kindies would be devastating. Hours would be slashed, fees would rise and services would be shut down, forcing parents to find alternatives.”
Dr Lynham said Labor introduced Universal Access funding in 2008 to ensure every Australian child would have access to 15 hours of quality education in the year before school.
“The former Federal Labor Government committed $660 million over two years to fund the program, but the Abbott Government had previously refused to commit to it, leaving establishments in the dark about their funding for next year."
“It is intolerable for this annual period of uncertainty to continue. It benefits no-one and is exceptionally damaging to long-term planning."
“If the Newman Government has any influence with Tony Abbott and Christopher Pyne it should tell them to do what’s right for Queensland, right for parents and staff and right for children and guarantee funding for early childhood education for the long term.”
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