Australia’s peak parental advocacy group, The Parenthood, has urged the Minns Government to support the state’s children and families by keeping the $5.4 billion childcare fund in full.
Media reported on the weekend a proposed NSW Government review of the proposed spending on childcare over the next decade.
Jessica Rudd, CEO of The Parenthood, said NSW’s children, parents and working mums would lose out if the NSW Government attempted to reallocate the legislated landmark childcare funding package and undo this critical social infrastructure.
“We urge Premier Minns and his Treasurer not to undo NSW’s commitment to the future of early learning and risk the early education of children and the workforce participation of New South Wales' women,” she said.
“Every child in NSW deserves access to early childhood education. It sets children up for lifelong learning, assists their development, and delivers financial relief for families while also easing workforce shortages and increasing productivity.
“NSW has been among the leaders on early learning reform and this is not the time to rob Peter to pay Paul. It’s unthinkable that a first-term Labor government would cut the funding it supported from opposition.
“With the high cost of living and interest rates on the rise, families increasingly need two incomes to make ends meet but can’t afford to go back to work unless there’s quality, affordable, available childcare for their kids,” Ms Rudd said.
