The SDOHAN Advisory Group determined it appropriate that we
write to the Premier about the recently proposed abolition of the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation and Tasmanian Community Fund Boards. You will find a copy of the letter’s content below.
8th September 2014
The Honourable Will Hodgman
Premier of Tasmania
Tasmanian Government
GPO Box 123
HOBART TAS 7001
Dear Premier
Abolition of Tasmanian Early Years Foundation and Tasmanian
Community Fund
We write to express concern about the planned abolition of
the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation and Tasmanian Community Fund Boards.
Particularly in relation to the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation it appears as
though the Foundation itself will cease to exist. While we understand that the
Tasmanian Community Fund will still exist in some form but with a different
decision-making body, we are concerned that it will not be truly autonomous
from Government decision-making processes. We are writing to seek clarity on
these matters, to ask you what will replace these organisations, and how you
will ensure that the visions and missions of the organisations will not be lost
within the Government system.
Early childhood is a crucial developmental period. Children
who have a good start in life not only have healthier and happier childhoods,
but also enjoy far-reaching beneficial effects in adulthood.
There is significant evidence in Tasmania that many children
do not experience optimal early life conditions (e.g. 16% of children under 15
years live in poverty, 48% of children in Tasmania are in the bottom child
social exclusion quintile, in the last 10 years the number of child protection
notifications involving children under 5 years has more than doubled (NATSEM
2013 and Kids Come First 2013)), and this is why the work of the
Tasmanian Early Years Foundation is so important.
What could be more important than giving every Tasmanian
child the best possible start in life as a foundation for a healthy, happy and
positive future? This is the vision of the Foundation.
The Foundation has provided many opportunities, in
partnership with the Tasmanian community, to support children and their
families, and raise awareness and a commitment to the early years of childhood.
The Foundation has worked collaboratively to maximise the potential of Child
and Family Centres, and much work has been done to support organisations and
workers at the coal-face to develop and implement quality, evidence-informed program
and initiatives.
We would like to express our deep disappointment at the
Government’s proposed abolition of the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation and ask
that you please explain to us why this decision has been made. Is this really
going to save significant amount of money? Surely the health and wellbeing of
our children is more important? And isn’t it vital that we have a prominent
organisation that sits outside of Government to champion the needs of children
in early life?
In respect of the Tasmanian Community Fund Board, again we
wish to express our concern at your announcement of its cessation. Many
organisations depend on the Tasmanian Community Fund to develop programs and
build capacity. We believe it is important that grant programs such as this
should operate at arms-length from Government. Can you please clarify for us on
what basis this decision has been made?
We are also concerned that there appears to have been no
consultation with key stakeholders, or the community at large about these
decisions. As a result of this, we are writing this letter and would greatly
appreciate your response to these matters.
Kind regards
Miriam Herzfeld
Convenor, Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network
cc.
Hon. Michael Ferguson MP, Minister for Health
Hon. Jacquie Petrusma MP, Minister for Human
Services
Rebecca White MP, Shadow Minister for Health and
Human Services, and Labor Spokesperson for Children
Michelle O’Byrne MP, Shadow Minister for
Education
Cassy, O’Connor MP, Greens
Hon. Ruth Forrest, MLC
