LABOR DISREGARD THREATENS GOSFORD CUBBYHOUSE CHILDCARE

05-November-2009

Federal and State Labor are taking the central coast for granted and their “arrogance and disregard is breathtaking” Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Childcare, Women and Youth Sophie Mirabella said today, as the future of the Gosford Cubbyhouse Childcare Centre remains in jeopardy.

 Mrs Mirabella called for Labor to “finally take some action” following a letter she received from the CEO of the Northern Sydney Central Coast Health Service in response to representations she made to acting Health Minister John Hatzistergos in September.

 “I am appalled at the response I received.  Not only did the Minister deem this not important enough to send a response from his own office, but this letter clearly shows that the NSW Health Service expect the Gosford Cubbyhouse to vacate their current premises,”  Mrs Mirabella said.

The Gosford Cubbyhouse is a non-profit childcare service that has been operating from it’s current premises for 22 years – providing a vital service for local families.  Having visited the Centre myself I know how dedicated the staff are and what a great job they are doing caring for local children.” 

 “The ongoing uncertainty about the future of the Centre, which is located on land owned by NSW Health, is a huge concern for both staff and parents but the NSW Government has shown total indifference to their plight.”

 Mrs Mirabella said she was appalled that, despite the health service claiming that they were ‘willing to negotiate’ a lease extension in correspondence to her, the service had not actually been in touch with the Director of Gosford Cubbyhouse Anne Unger since August. 

 “The only contact the Cubbyhouse has had is a letter from NSW Health, on the day the current lease expired, stating that the lease was now up and discussions were continuing with “relevant stakeholders”.  I don’t know what discussions are going on – but I would have thought the Cubbyhouse were the most relevant of all stakeholders!”

 “It shouldn’t fall to a member of the Federal Opposition to let the Gosford Cubbyhouse know where they currently stand in supposed “negotiations” with a NSW Department!”

 “Back in July, the then Health Minister John Della Bosca said that NSW Health was “willing to negotiate a new lease”, then in August they were told that there was no way they could remain in the current premises and any discussions would only be for a temporary extension until the service could be relocated.  Now NSW Health are claiming to still be “in negotiations” when they haven’t even bothered to get in touch with the Centre Director.  It’s ridiculous! ”

 “At the very least, the parents and staff at this Centre need some reassurance that they are not going to get an eviction notice and suddenly be forced to close down.”

 “The NSW Government needs to stop being indifferent, get involved, sort out this mess, and help ensure the future of this service which is vital for local central coast families.”

Media Enquiries: Felicity Wilkinson on (03) 5721 5377