ASU has meet with the Productivity Commission of Australia over issues surrounding Early Childhood Education, speaking up for ASU members in child care and the need for increased use of child care for education purposes. The Commission is currently reviewing for Government matters around skills, training, career paths, salaries, staff retention, methods of collective barraging (eg local govt industry way vs child care industry) , state awards vs federal EBA outcomes, quality of service, leaning / education component , international bench marks , the relationship between child care centres and schooling etc
The ASU as the local government childcare union has a history in childcare and children’s services dating back to at least the 1920s.
In addition to the above areas commented on I also refereed to -
- Investment in and access to early childhood education for all Australian children
- Linking childcare education with school entry
- Growth and planning of childcare centres based on childcare numbers in particular areas as opposed to the current market based approach.
- The failures of the private sector child acre models of child care
- Public vs private investment in child care and children’s services .
The ASU will be following up the above interview with a written submission to Productivity Commission, response to the productivity commission reports and discussion papers. Our submission will include past position papers, and submissions we have made to government as well as references to our appearances before Senate and House of Representatives committees (etc) in recent years
ASU – Assistant National Secretary Greg Mclean represented the ASU at the interview with Productivity Commission.
