Frankston Independent, final week of campaign

From http://frankston.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/council-urged-to-save-abc-centres/1369431.aspx

GREENS candidates are urging the incoming Frankston Council to take over the city's 11 ABC Learning Centres after the Federal Government was forced to temporarily bail out the child-care giant.

South-West Ward's Jaymz Stevens and North-West Ward's Les Mallett say the council should be working with the Government to find a solution to the crisis that could see thousands of families without access when the interim package expires.

The Government and creditors have agreed to fund ABC Learning's 1040 child-care centres until December 31.

The council has been divesting itself of child-care and aged-care facilities in recent years, having sold its Milpara Park nursing home last year and closing the Amaroo child-care centre this year.
Its two remaining child-care providers, Candlebark and Lakewood, are widely considered industry leaders.

The Greens say councils should increase their role in children's services including child care, rather than spending money on the St Kilda Football Club relocation or the proposed marina.
"If the choice is between losing these services, or transferring them at no capital cost to council, then it is only right that council should explore this option," Mr Stevens said.
"The council manages two long-day care centres and could assess the cost of picking up the operational costs of the 11 ABC Learning Centres in the municipality and request Government assistance to transfer the centres to Frankston Council.
"In my view it would be much better to invest in Frankston's children than an AFL club or a marina to service the small minority of boat owners who want wet berthing facilities," he said.

Mr Mallett said it was not beyond the council's capabilities to provide child care with the support of the Government.
"Frankston Council can offer a sustainable model for the delivery of child care and one that is committed to high quality, accessible and affordable care for all," Mr Mallett said.
"They would be understandably nervous about bearing the cost of child care, so Federal Government support should be forthcoming to encourage council to extend their services into child care where possible."