Page 1111 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 30 March 2011
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We are in a situation where Alkira and Gumnut have to vacate their current premises by the end of 2011. As yet, not a sod has been turned, not a door has been moved nor a lick of paint put on the Flynn premises; in fact, the plans are not available. I have been concerned about this for a long time and I had a site visit, thanks to the minister and her staff, on 23 February, when I was told that plans were two weeks away; they would be ready in two weeks and the DA would be lodged. But that is not the case. We are almost in April and that leaves us eight months for the government to complete its upgrade works.
Based on the government’s previous record on capital works, I am very doubtful indeed that this will be sufficient time for Alkira and Gumnut to establish their facilities in time for the commencement of operation in 2012, which is what they were promised. I am concerned because there is no contingency plan in place to enable Alkira and Gumnut in particular to continue operating in their current premises until the Flynn premises are fit for occupancy—not just fit for occupancy but ready, sparkling and new and ready for occupancy by our children.
The disruptions to be faced by Canberra families, Belconnen families, currently using Alkira and Gumnut will be as they were in November 2009 when Minister Burch sent Gumnut a letter telling them to vacate by the end of 2011. Minister Burch even added insult to injury when she said to Gumnut in the letter, “I wish you every success in finding alternative accommodation.” As I have said before, that thoughtless and careless approach was finally reined in and the minister was forced to take a more active interest, but only because of the active interest of the Canberra Liberals, and particularly Mr Coe and me, who represent the people of Belconnen.
What will happen to the children this time in these facilities if there is no place for them, and what will the flow-on effect be to their parents? What will happen to the staff if the facilities are not ready as promised by the end of this year? We already know that there is a critical shortage of childcare places in Canberra, so we have to work now and act now to ensure that these families have secure placements in the future.
Quite frankly, I do not have faith in this government. I do not have faith that they are up to ensuring that there are contingencies in place and I do not have faith that they will be able to deliver this on time—and hopefully on budget because it is an extraordinarily large budget. To illustrate why I have grave concerns about this commitment the government made, let me draw your attention to a comment made during question time on 30 June last year. The minister was asked how many new places would be created through this commitment and the minister responded:
I think I have indicated that the new figures this morning from the department have indicated an additional 530 childcare places coming on in the next 12 months.
Where are these places? And these 110 places are part of that 530. We are now in March, nine months down the track, and there have been some additional childcare places, but not 530. I am concerned that staff at centres, and families, are in a situation
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