The fight to reinstate Federal funding for Occasional Care has taken a major step forward, with formal support declared by the Greens in Parliament yesterday. Opposition spokesperson for Childcare, Sussan Ley, expressed delight at a statement from Adam Bandt MP before the House of Representatives, which called on the Gillard administration to restore this essential funding as soon as possible. “Winning Greens backing for the Coalition’s position reinforces what we have been saying all along; support for childcare in this country starts with the Federal Government”, Ms Ley said. “I again call on Childcare Minister, Kate Ellis, to return the $12m she wiped from this vital sector or risk being severely embarrassed by a vote in Parliament which will force her to do so.” This Greens support comes on the same day parents and children staged a second protest rally in Melbourne representing the 9000 families in Victoria who use this service. Two thirds of the nation’s occasional care programs are in Victoria, with many attending the rally coming from regional and remote communities, where this is often the only centre-based care available. “Ms Ellis needs to understand not all mums and dads need or can afford full time childcare and cutting occasional care off at the knees like this is both short-sighted and downright cruel”, Ms Ley said.