NEW PENALTIES TO DRIVE CHILDCARE STAFF AWAY
The Member for Berowra, Philip Ruddock MP said today that severe new penalties being imposed by the Rudd Government could drive away childcare staff and make childcare more expensive.
“The new regulations are draconian and show just how out of touch the Rudd Government is with the childcare industry. Imposing fines of up to $22,000 on individuals who may input a figure incorrectly on the computer is unacceptable. The industry is already struggling to find and retain staff – this can only drive them away,” Mr Ruddock said.
“For businesses the fine can be $44,000 for a simple clerical mistake and childcare providers already have to deal with uncertainty as a result of the Rudd Government’s shake-up on staff ratios and qualifications – these harsh penalties could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back”.
The Government must:
· Ensure that penalties are not levied on individual staff members
· Specify more clearly the circumstances in which the penalties will apply – which must be in genuine cases of fraud only, not where simple mistakes are made.
“There are many ways the Government can deal with providers who are found to be guilty of fraud – including the withdrawal of government-provided Child Care Benefits. These fines are very heavy-handed and the last thing the industry needs at this time.”
“Any increase in fees at this time when we have rising unemployment and economic uncertainty will be a burden on working families,” Philip Ruddock stated.