ID :
47900
Fri, 02/27/2009 - 13:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/47900
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Bids lodged for ABC childcare centres
About 180 formal binding offers have been lodged for the 241 ABC Learning centres
previously described as unviable.
The court-appointed receivers for the centres, PPB Australia, will now work through
each offer.
PPB's Stephen Parbery said the bids would be analysed to determine the best outcomes
for everyone, most importantly the children and their families, and centre
employees.
"We will continue to consult with interested parties and other stakeholders, such as
landlords, in order to conclude the sale or transfer process," Mr Parbery said in a
statement.
"We are encouraged by the number and calibre of the offers received and are pleased
with how the sales process has progressed to date.
"While the process remains on track, details of the offers remain commercially
sensitive as disclosing specific information could prejudice the sale process."
The union representing childcare workers, the LHMU, cautiously welcomed PPB's
announcement.
"For families and childcare workers alike today's announcement is an important step
in ending the uncertainty and anxiety of the four months since the collapse of ABC
Learning," LHMU assistant national secretary Sue Lines said.
She said stability was vital for the 241 centres, which employ 3,600 staff who care
for 20,000 children.
"Workers and families are well aware that federal government funding for these
centres ends on 31 March," Ms Lines said.
"We therefore urge the receivers of ABC2 to make a timely announcement on the
successful bidders."
One bidder, Children 21, confirmed it had placed an offer for all 241 centres.
Children 21 is a group of non-profit childcare operators, charities and a subsidiary
of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.
While it's not known if any other bidder has lodged an offer for the entire ABC2
group, some bids have been made for a number of centres clustered in particular
areas.
PPB said it would soon write to parents, employees and centre directors to keep them
up to date on the sale process.
ABC Learning, the world's largest publicly listed childcare corporation, went into
receivership last November with $1.6 billion in debts.
The company, founded two decades ago by Gold Coast entrepreneur Eddy Groves, cares
for 120,000 children - 20 per cent of the Australian childcare market.
previously described as unviable.
The court-appointed receivers for the centres, PPB Australia, will now work through
each offer.
PPB's Stephen Parbery said the bids would be analysed to determine the best outcomes
for everyone, most importantly the children and their families, and centre
employees.
"We will continue to consult with interested parties and other stakeholders, such as
landlords, in order to conclude the sale or transfer process," Mr Parbery said in a
statement.
"We are encouraged by the number and calibre of the offers received and are pleased
with how the sales process has progressed to date.
"While the process remains on track, details of the offers remain commercially
sensitive as disclosing specific information could prejudice the sale process."
The union representing childcare workers, the LHMU, cautiously welcomed PPB's
announcement.
"For families and childcare workers alike today's announcement is an important step
in ending the uncertainty and anxiety of the four months since the collapse of ABC
Learning," LHMU assistant national secretary Sue Lines said.
She said stability was vital for the 241 centres, which employ 3,600 staff who care
for 20,000 children.
"Workers and families are well aware that federal government funding for these
centres ends on 31 March," Ms Lines said.
"We therefore urge the receivers of ABC2 to make a timely announcement on the
successful bidders."
One bidder, Children 21, confirmed it had placed an offer for all 241 centres.
Children 21 is a group of non-profit childcare operators, charities and a subsidiary
of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.
While it's not known if any other bidder has lodged an offer for the entire ABC2
group, some bids have been made for a number of centres clustered in particular
areas.
PPB said it would soon write to parents, employees and centre directors to keep them
up to date on the sale process.
ABC Learning, the world's largest publicly listed childcare corporation, went into
receivership last November with $1.6 billion in debts.
The company, founded two decades ago by Gold Coast entrepreneur Eddy Groves, cares
for 120,000 children - 20 per cent of the Australian childcare market.
