How genuine can the ACTU be about child care?

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today questioned how genuine the ACTU is about helping Australian families access child care.

At the launch of ACTU’s child care policy on Monday, ACTU President, Sharon Burrows, said that private service providers were “abhorrent and despicable” and corporate providers “evil“.

“When you consider that 68 per cent of long day care places across Australia are provided by the private sector, I am absolutely amazed that the ACTU would rubbish their contribution,” Larry Anthony said.

“They cannot be too serious about improving the Australian families access to child care services.

“Contrary to union mythology most private sector providers are small businesses, with 90 per cent of providers only owning one child care centre.

“The existence of private service providers offers Australian families a choice. We should value the role they play.”

Following Ms Burrow’s comments at the forum the private sector providers in attendance felt insulted and left early.

“Now that the ACTU has shown its true colours, the real question is where does the Australian Labor Party, particularly the new Shadow Minister for Children and Youth, Jacinta Collins, stand on the issue?” Mr Anthony asked.

“The ACTU has clearly forgotten that it was the Australian Labor Party who first introduced Government subsidies for private service providers.

“I hope that the Shadow spokesperson will stand up for Australian families and small business operators against her union brothers and sisters.”