Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hanson-Young for her question. The government has provided $22 million to ensure all ABC centres remain open until 31 December. The Australian government has committed up to $22 million to ensure that that happens, to provide some security for parents, for staff and of course for children using those centres. However, since that has occurred, there has been a movement towards voluntary liquidation and an attempt made by the receiver to try to work through the issues in dealing with the other centres that are now in question—other than those that have indicated that there will be ongoing operations. We are expecting further announcements from the receiver to be made shortly, and it is my expectation that in terms of the existing 656 identified centres that will continue their operations in 2009, there will of course be further developments from the receiver in the near future. The centres that remain under review by the receiver have been selected and have a larger proportion of younger children up to two years of age. The receiver is very clear that the centres on his list will not necessarily close. A proportion is expected to remain open. I am advised that the receiver is reviewing the future prospects of each of these centres, based on their individual merits. The Australian government is playing a strong and decisive role in supporting this process and has, as I have indicated, committed $22 million to ensure that that process can run smoothly.