Child-care in Canberra must become more accessible and affordable, despite a Treasury report released today claiming that child-care across Australia is both affordable and accessible.
It was revealed yesterday that the ACT was ranked among the most expensive places in Australia for child-care. The average cost for full-time long day care in Canberra is $233, that is $32 more expensive than the national average.
“If the Howard Government thinks paying around a third of your wage in child-care costs is affordable, then they are out-of-touch with ordinary working families”, Senator Lundy said.
It has also been reported that there are both areas of over-supply and shortages in the ACT. There are particular shortages in places for children under 18 months, and also in areas of high demand. This means that some parents in the ACT are having trouble accessing appropriate and convenient child-care.
“I have had many parents tell me how difficult it is to find child-care in Canberra now. If the Howard Government thinks today’s Treasury report solves Australia’s child-care crisis, then they are very, very wrong.”
“The rising cost of childcare leads to parents, particularly mothers, having to leave the workforce because they just can’t afford child-care. This is bad news for parents that want to work and bad news for Australia’s economic prosperity.”
A Labor government will build 260 new child-care centres around Australia in areas of need. This will improve accessibility and help bring the cost of child care down.
Labor will also put an extra $450 million into childcare, pre-school and early learning to help all four-year olds access quality early childhood education.
While the Howard government is sitting back hoping the child-care crisis will go away, Labor has a plan to improve the accessibility and affordability of child-care.
Contact: Rachel Allen - 0418 488 295
