By Bonny Burrows
The State Government will not intervene in the controversial Cardinia Shire kinder management process despite calls from local MPs.
On the heels of the Cardinia Council’s 17 July general meeting in which it voted to not recommence the “flawed” tender process despite heavy community protest, Bass MP Brian Paynter and Gembrook MP Brad Battin have launched a campaign calling for the State Government to step in.
The two politicians have joined parents and kindergarten workers in their fight for the State Government to overrule the council’s decision, after current, Garfield-based provider Kinders Together missed out on renewing all of its early years’ management contracts to non-local organisations.
Mr Paynter told the Gazette the council had made a “major blunder” in not consulting the local community and described councillors’ “compromise” to axe controversial Western Australia-based organisation One Tree as a provider as another wrong step.
One Tree’s appointment caused a community outcry when it was revealed it was subject to state tribunal disciplinary action in 2016 after a staff member was found to have not adequately cared for a child at one of its interstate centres.
The backlash saw councillors overrule their CEO’s decision to award the tender to the organisation, and instead appoint Glen Waverly-based service provider Bestchance as the management for the 18 existing kindergartens.
They also awarded another contract for a yet-to-be-built Officer kindergarten to Early Childhood Management Services (ECMS).
However, Mr Paynter said when trying to right a wrong, councillors had lost sight at the issue at hand – a lack of community consultation.
The process should be started from scratch, he said, to include staff and representatives from the affected kindergarten committees.
“They (the independent panel) might come up with the same result, but at least the community was consulted,” Mr Paynter said.
His colleague, Mr Battin, is also baffled at the council’s decision, and has launched a petition lobbying for the Victorian Premier’s intervention.
“The council admitted the process was flawed and there was no consultation with parents about their child’s education or welfare,” Mr Battin said.
“I cannot understand why any councillor would support a flawed process rather than start again and ensure parents’ and staff voices are heard.”
As of Monday morning, Mr Battin’s petition had attracted 861 signatures of support, but to no avail.
A State Government spokesperson said it would not step in as appointment of an early years provider was a matter for local government.
“Councils are responsible for selecting providers to operate their facilities and the (State) Government has no authority to intervene,” the government spokesperson said.
“We work in partnership with councils and the early childhood sector to deliver high quality early childhood services for Victorian families.”
Despite the continued criticism, the council’s management staff have maintained the tender process was “fair and would hold up to the toughest scrutiny”.
It is understood Mr Paynter and Mr Battin provided written letters of support advocating for Kinders Together in its unsuccessful application for the five-year tender, commencing in 2018.
