Family day care under attack

By Kylie Moon

HOBART -- The University of Tasmania administration in mid-January gave parents using the family day care scheme two weeks to find alternative child-care.

Opposition has forced the university to delay the closure of the scheme until June, but this is grossly inadequate; the waiting list at most child-care centres in the area is more than 12 months.

The FDC scheme was set up as a cooperative and is mainly used by parents attending the university. It provides child-care for a minimum hourly rate of $2.50, whereas other care centres charge a minimum of $25 for half a day.

The university claims that inadequate safety guidelines are the reason for the closure. However, according to Jen Fitzgerald, the SRC welfare officer, the real reason is that FDC does not pay rent for the university house it uses, and the university wants to use the building for more profitable purposes.

``The university is making a direct attack on parents' right to have access to higher education'', Resistance activist Rebecca O'Connolly said. ``It is particularly a concern for women. With fee increases, Austudy cutbacks and now child-care closures, the barriers to women studying are increasing."

Parents on Campus have demanded that the university undertake a review that includes consultation with staff and parents. The group says it is prepared to launch a campaign if the outcome does not reflect parents' interests.

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