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Kate is passionate about contributing to public debate on a wide range of important issues. Here are some of the issues she has touched on in the past.
- Should successful athletes have to pay back the AIS 10 Jun 2009
- Let's give youth voice now for a better future 12 Oct 2008
- Organ donation it's the greatest gift of all 21 Sep 2008
- Is safe sex message falling on deaf ears 31 Aug 2008
- Grassroots funding is key to Olympic glorys 10 Aug 2008
- Easy to overlook big issue of homelessness 20 Jul 2008
- Trailblazer Natasha leaves lasting legacy 29 Jun 2008
- Heavy hitters boost our World Cup hopes 01 Jun 2008
- Youth Forum Discussion Paper 17 May 2008
- We can't take sport for granted 11 May 2008
- Women truly can do anything be anything 20 Apr 2008
- Let the Games begin with all our athletes 30 Mar 2008
- Proud past but future a challenge for women 09 Mar 2008
- Young people will be heard at highest level 17 Feb 2008
- Our nation has changed dramatically in three weeks 16 Dec 2007
- Mobile Phone Towers 23 Sep 2007
- Bradken Foundry 01 Jul 2007
- Full Fees 03 Jun 2007
- Eating Disorders 17 Dec 2006
- Iraq 27 Jul 2006
- Electoral Laws 26 Jun 2006
- Dental 08 Jan 2006
- Make Poverty History 18 Sep 2005
2009
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2005
Media Releases
2010 | 2009 | 200809 Dec 2009 - New Owners of ABC1 is Good News for Parents
The Hon Kate Ellis MP
Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth
9 December, 2009
Joint Media Release
New owners of ABC1 is good news for parents
Joint Media Release with the Hon Julia Gillard MP.
The Rudd Government has welcomed the announcement today by McGrathNicol, Receivers for ABC Learning Ltd, that a new non-profit company is the preferred purchaser for 678 of the remaining ABC1 child care centres.
GoodStart has been established by four non-profit organisations; Social Ventures Australia, Mission Australia, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Benevolent Society.
Together, these organisations have committed to providing the highest quality, socially inclusive, accessible and affordable early childhood education and care for Australia's children.
These aims are consistent with the Rudd Government's early child care and education agenda, and this spells more good news for Australian families.
Earlier this week the Council of Australian Governments' agreed to lift the quality of child care nationwide by implementing new compulsory national standards for child care and early childhood education services.
The unprecedented collapse of ABC Learning and its impact on thousands of Australian families highlighted the importance of a stable and diversified child care market in this nation.
To minimise disruption and uncertainty as far as possible for thousands of families and employees, the Rudd Government was quick to respond with decisive action.
The tender process for the ABC1 centres provided an opportunity for the community and not-for-profit sector to increase its representation in the market.
To support the diversification of the child care market following the collapse of the single largest provider in the nation, the Australian Government agreed to lend GoodStart $15 million over seven years to assist its acquisition of the centres. This loan is not a grant and will be paid back in full, at no cost to taxpayers.
The entry of GoodStart into the child care market will increase the not-for-profit share of the Long Day Care market from around 25 per cent to around 40 per cent, spread across many operators.
The Government welcomes GoodStart's commitment to look after existing staff currently working in these centres, and particularly those who accept continued employment with them.
All the accrued entitlements of these workers will be acknowledged by GoodStart, and their service with ABC Learning will be recognised for all purposes, including long service leave and redundancy benefits.
The Government is looking forward to working with GoodStart, along with all other Australian child care operators, as we work to improve child care and better support Australian families.
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