Angela Savage Speech Occasional Childcare rally

I’d like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this and on which we are gathered and to pay my respects to elders past and present.

The Association of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres is proud to support this rally to save occasional child care. In addition to being the largest providers of occasional child care in Victoria, Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres believe strongly in supporting communities to exercise their democratic rights and make their political voices heard.

The grassroots response to the cessation of government funding for occasional child care has been remarkable. Parents, carers and providers throughout Victoria have mobilised to make their voices heard through letter writing, social media, petitioning, demonstrations and rallies around the state. The kids have done their bit through Operation Big Fridge.

I want to make special mention of those in the Goulburn Valley – four women in particular referred top as the ‘awesome foursome’ in our office – and also Vicky Weatherlake, who has led the social media charge on this issue.

I also want to thank the organisations who have gone on the record as supporting the reinstatement of funding for occasional child care, including the Victorian Farmers Federation, United Dairy Farmers of Victoria, Country Women’s Association of Victoria, the Australian Nurses Federation, Save the Children, Brimbank Council, Moonee Valley Council, Community Child Care Victoria.

Early on in this campaign, one mother said to me, “You know, I’ve voted all my life, but this is the first time I’ve ever asked for anything.”

I want to say to you and all the mothers, fathers, carers, children and supporters here today that you have the right to ask this of your leaders – it is not too much to ask.

But to be honest, I am flabbergasted that we are still in this situation, rallying on the steps of Parliament for the second time in two months and calling for the responsible ministers—Wendy Lovell at the state level and Kate Ellis at the Federal level—to work together to sustain these vital services.  Families throughout Victoria are being held to ransom in what appears to be a case of political brinkpersonship between these two ministers. Enough already with the finger-pointing: we want to see the two ministers work constructively on a solution. This isn’t about you. It’s about us. It’s about strong, healthy, safe communities.

Minister Wendy Lovell has said the state government will put its share of the funding back on the table if the Federal government reinstates its share. That money is needed now, before services start closing. We call on Minister Lovell to restore the state’s contribution immediately. And we call on Minister Ellis to reinstate the support  of the Federal government for neighbourhood model occasional care.

Angela Savage

Executive Officer

Association of Neighbourhood Houses & Learning Centres