mother’s day present for women to have their work as mothers properly recognised and recorded by the census.

Our Mother’s Day release was highlighted in ‘The Canberra Times’ and ‘The Hobart Mercury’. The ABS Census is scheduled to be conducted on 8 August this year.

 

There has been a great deal of press coverage in recent months, on access to formal childcare by women not in the paid workforce. WAA has reiterated its position in a number of meetings with politicians and in the press, that access to childcare should be non-discriminatory. It should take account of the wealth of data which states that parental care is the best option for the very young child. Where women do choose formal childcare, access to such care must reflect the flexibility of women’s lives and their fluid relationship with the paid workforce. WAA rejects such terminology as ‘working’ and ‘non-working’ mothers.

 

Over the last several months WAA has been updating its website. Our aim is to keep the website as up to date as possible with a wide range of information of interest to members. We encourage members to visit the website and catch up on our policy

 

Maureen McCarthy

National President

In early May the Federal Government brought down its 2006/2007 budget. WAA released a press release on 9 May welcoming the added assistance given to families. We especially mentioned the assistance extended to lower income families by raising the eligibility threshold for the maximum amount of Family Tax Benefit (Part A) to $40.000pa.

 

We also expressed our appreciation of the extension of the large family supplement of $248 from four, down to three or more children. In doing so however we pointed out that the amount does not constitute a real incentive for couples to have a third child. We reiterated our policy that extending the statutory period of unpaid parental leave to three years would be more likely to create attractive opportunities to extend one’s family.

 

Women form the largest proportion of carers of the elderly and disabled in our community. We therefore also welcomed on behalf of these women, the Government’s increased assistance of $1000 pa for carers.

 

In May WAA also marked Mother’s Day with letters to the editor and a press release highlighting WAA’s win in obtaining a question on the census on unpaid work. It was an appropriate

 

 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its 2005 Child Care survey last month. This survey collects information about formal and informal child care for children between 0-12 years. Pre school/kindergarten has been excluded from the definition of formal care for the first time and these figures are collected separately.

 

Some interesting facts emerged:

·  In June 2005, 46% of children under 12 years were in some type of child care.

·  The use of formal care for very young children was low; 7% of children under one year, increasing to 31% at one and 53% at age three. Only 38% of four year olds were in formal child care as many went to preschool/kindergarten.

·  Of those children who used formal care, 47% used it for less than 10 hours in a week; informal care was used by 58% of children for less than 10 hours per week. Only 7% used formal care for more than 35 hours per week and 12% used informal care for that time.

·  The median number of hours for all children 0-12 years who used child care is 10 hours per week.

·  The main reason given by parents for the use of child care was paid work commitments.

·  The cost to parents, after the Child Care Rebate has been taken into account, for 65% (1,015,300) children was less than $20 per week. This figure includes a large proportion of children for whom there was no cost while for 8% of children the cost of care is $100 or more per week.

 

These latest figures highlight that of the 46% of children in child care most are in care for short periods of time and these figures also remind us that 54% of children under 12 years, never use paid child care.

I am very concerned with the direction the Libs seem to be heading in relation to childcare. I am a very firm supporter of community based childcare as opposed to the use of childcare being channelled into a lucrative business opportunity. Apparently the CEO of ABC childcare is closely associated with the Libs and a financial supporter. As with most issues there are lots of players involved and the solution is not an easy one. The best idea I have heard of is to have the childcare centres associated with the primary schools. Of course, I have not heard one voice raised to suggest that mothers of young children be financially assisted to care for their own children.

 D.B (NSW)

 

I am very disturbed at the discussions that have been taking place on childcare. The debate has centred around the claim that mothers in paid employment should be given childcare priority over stay at home mothers.  I am appalled that this debate is even taking place.  My concerns are:

·   It should be acknowledged that ALL mothers, no matter what their specific need is, are entitled to childcare.

·   The needs of the children are being ignored.  It is important that all children have access to childcare if their parents feel it will assist them in their education and socialization.

·   Politicians are using the differences between women in the workforce and women at home to divide Australian women and take the heat off their responsibility to provide safe, good childcare for all women.

J.W (NSW)

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CHILD CARE FACTS