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Loddon HERALD Vol 2 No 44 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 ISSN 2653-1550
‘ACTION NOT ADVOCACY NEEDED ON CHILD CARE’
ANGRY MUMS By CHRIS EARL
LH PHOTO
YOUNG mothers are picking up telephones demanding quick action on the Loddon’s child care crisis. Emails and text messages to Labor’s Ripon candidate Martha Haylett have called for “action not advocacy”. Ms Haylett told last week’s Ripon candidate forum that she would advocate for child care in the shire. But Wedderburn mother and member of the town’s child care working group Tammy Martin said: “We don’t need Ms Haylett’s advocacy. The facts are there, the impact statements are there ... we have no child care.” “We need a promise that a facility will be built,” Ms Martin said. The Government has said it will have “more to say later” on its June promise to open 50 colocated centres in areas of demand by 2025. The Coalition has promised that the $1.9 million allocated for communications and consultation in the Wedderburn College $12.9 million upgrade would be used for a co-located centre. Ms Martin said mothers were “a little upset” Ms Haylett had failed to meet with the local child care working group. “As you are well aware, there is not one facility in Loddon and you tell us you are advocating but there has been no communication. Not I but all women have the right to work and feel a sense of worth but how are we meant to do that without some sort of
child care so we can return to the workforce,” she has told Ms Haylett. “Council, the school and various shops in town are already struggling with staff. “There are capable and qualified women in our community suited to these roles but they are unable to take them on.” Ms Martin said: “We’ve had meetings with Louise Staley, federal MP Anne Webster and the Derryn Hinch Justice Party but have not heard from Ms Haylett. The ground is there (at Wedderburn College) so all we need is the money for the building.” Ms Haylett told the Loddon Herald: ““The State Labor Government will roll out 50 staterun child care centres across Victoria. While locations are yet to be announced, rest assured that I will continue to be a fierce representative for the Loddon Shire on this issue going forward. “I’m a doting aunt and watching my sister navigate child care has made me even more committed to this issue - it’s one I will continue to work to address in Wedderburn.” Ms Martin said: “We need candidates to come forward and just say a child care centre will be built.” Loddon Shire is the only 100 per cent child care desert in Victoria, according to a Mitchell Institute report earlier this year.
IVEE Rian Pantig and members of Pyramid Hill’s Filipino community made an impressive sight as they processed from St Patrick’s Church to the memorial hall on Saturday night for Nuestra Senora del Patrocinio (Patronage of Our Lady) festival. STORY, PHOTOS - PAGE 16
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