The ASU covers child care workers in local government and is the largest union in local government.

ABC Learning is in debt to the tune of $1.6 billion in Australia alone, and the Federal Government has provided financial assistance to ensure the 1,100 centres remain open until Christmas.

The future of the Parkes ABC Learning facility remains clouded.

It is understood that Receivers will advise parents late this week as to whether the company plans to close centres from next year.

Mayor of Parkes Cr Ken Keith said Parkes Shire Council was keeping a watching brief on the ABC Learning centre in Parkes in case it is listed for closure.

‘Should there be no private interest in continuing the operations of the Parkes centre, then council would consider the options available to ensure the community has continued access to a sufficient level of childcare,’ Cr Keith said.

‘Parkes Shire Council is already the sponsoring body for the Parkes Early Childhood Centre and the Parkes/Forbes Family Day Care Scheme. It may be possible to bring the ABC facility under the umbrella of one or both of these organisations.

‘However, there would certainly have to be considerable financial incentives from the Federal Government before council could consider that possibility.

`The trigger for any consideration of the proposal raised by the ASU would be the absence of private interests in taking up the running once the Administrator acting for ABC Learning finalises the obligations of the company”.

Issue raised in Canberra

Mayor Keith attended Tuesday’s inaugural meeting in Canberra of the Australian Council of Local Government where he raised the matter during discussions with Minister for Infrastructure Anthony Albanese.

Cr Keith also emphasised to the minister the importance of the Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail project and also presented an upgraded submission highlighting the importance of the National Transport Hub.

Parkes Shire Council is concerned that moves to advance the project are being hamstrung by the government’s apparent inability to totally embrace it.