Tamworth's council-run services, like childcare centres, are facing an uncertain future, but the government says concerns have "been heard".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Leader approached the Australian Government's Department of Education, Skills and Employment to ask what they are doing in response to the turmoil felt by council-run child-care centres, especially in regional and rural local government areas.
Local councils have expressed their chagrin over being ineligible for the JobKeeper payments, and Local Government NSW organisation has called for the Prime Minister to overhaul the requirements effective immediately.
We have heard the concerns raised about services run by local councils.
- Australian Government's Department of Education, Skills and Employment
A spokeswoman for the department said while the JobKeeper payment does not cover these services, "we have heard the concerns raised about services run by local councils."
"We continue to work on this issue," she said.
Have your say, send a letter to the editor
"We will provide more advice as soon as possible."
There has been no timeline as to when answers and plans may be revealed.
In designing the Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package, the department says the government "listened to the concerns of the peak industry organisations" for the child care sector.
READ ALSO
- Council-run child-care centres facing closure
- Environmental Defenders Office files legal action against Whitehaven Coal for allegedly failing to secure the necessary biodiversity offsets for its Maules Creek coal mine
- Tamworth Coronavirus: COVID spread halted in region, as health district records first death
They received "detailed information about their sector's operations".
Any questions about the new system should be directed to the department, where they will work with them, the spokeswoman said.
"We will work with them through their payments under the Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package and the JobKeeper package," she said.
"Exceptional circumstances funding is available."
Want to keep up to date? Why not sign up to our newsletters
