Page 1115 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 30 March 2011
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(2) Omit paragraph (1)(e), substitute:
“(e) the design and planning work, including a heritage strategy that has been done;”.
(3) Insert new paragraph (1)(f):
“(f) that construction works have not yet begun at the former Flynn Primary School; and”.
(4) Insert new paragraph (1)(g):
“(g) the decision of the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal in Taglietti and Ors v ACT Heritage Council (Administrative Review) [2011] ACAT 14;”.
(5) Omit paragraph (2)(a), substitute:
“(a) there is now approximately only eight months to complete the significant renovation works;”.
(6) Omit paragraph (2)(c), substitute:
“(c) there will be considerable disruption to Alkira and Gumnut, and the families who use their services, if the Flynn site is not ready by 1 January 2012; and”.
I have had some discussions with Ms Burch’s and Mrs Dunne’s offices. Mrs Dunne’s motion is an important one. This is an important issue. I still have a child in after-school care, but I certainly remember 18 years of childcare and the stress that can place on you if you cannot access places. This was the case particularly with my first child where I had him in two separate childcare centres for a period of time. It was very stressful trying to get through that period. Mrs Dunne mentioned that many families are actually putting their names down on lists before their child is born. That was very much my experience. It saddens me that it is still happening to parents out there.
At that time as soon as you were pregnant it was basically a case of putting your name down on lists because it could take 12 to 18 months, or however long, to be able to access childcare. It does sadden me that 18 years later this is still the case and that it has not been given a higher priority at the federal level and also at state and territory government level. We know that many families, particularly in the ACT, have both parents working or if it is a single parent family, that parent is working. That ability to be able to access quality, affordable childcare is just so essential to be able to participate in the workforce.
As I said there have been discussions with Ms Burch’s office and Mrs Dunne’s office. My amendments are really about clearing up some things and making some small changes to Mrs Dunne’s motion. For instance, one of my amendments is around design and planning work, including a heritage strategy. That has been done. That
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