Dear friends and supporters,
Next week the Treasurer Jim Chalmers will hand down the Federal Budget. It's important. Every Federal Budget matters in economic, social and political terms. Here at The Parenthood we view every Budget as an opportunity to campaign for policies that will improve the lives of children, women and families. Each year we prepare a Budget Submission which includes the key changes we'd love to see and then we work hard to persuade various decision-makers of their merits.
Will we be heard? That's the billion dollar question!
A world-leading paid parental leave policy and universal access to quality, inclusive early childhood education and care delivered by a properly paid and supported workforce, are our top two policy wishes. But, in our Budget submission we also make the case for smaller changes that move us closer to reform. (Rome, apparently, wasn't built in a day. 😜)
Some of our key policy asks ahead of Tuesday include:
- the abolition of the Child Care Activity test to improve early learning access for children facing disadvantage;
- an interim wage increase of 15% for early childhood educators;
- restore access to the Single Parenting Payment until the youngest child turns 16;
- Raising The Rate.
Find out more about our budget asks, upcoming workshops, and more in this newsletter.
We'll keep you posted on whether we've been heard next week.
The Parenthood team
FEDERAL BUDGET IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN CHILDREN, WOMEN AND FAMILIES
“How we support and nurture children under five and their parents is character-defining. For too many children and families, Australia has failed this test and that no longer flies with the majority of Australians. It is time for meaningful change,” says Georgie Dent in our media release. Read about our six key policy asks ahead of the Budget here.
Georgie also spoke to 7News and ABC Radio about our budget asks.
TREATING WOMEN AS SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS NO LONGER FLIES ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY
Women have been treated as second-class economic citizens for far too long, often under the false guise of "prudent economic management".
In the 2022 election, a clear majority of Australians backed candidates and parties committed to meaningful, substantive policies to redress inequity. The license to ditch poor social and poor economic policies couldn't be clearer. Read Georgie Dent’s op-ed in The Canberra Times.
THREE LETTERS CAN CHANGE AUSTRALIA - WE VOTE YES
Later this year, with just three letters, we all have the opportunity to change Australia for the better. How? By voting YES at the referendum. By saying YES to changing our constitution to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament we will accept an invitation from First Nations Australians to walk together to build a better future.
A Voice to Parliament will improve lives in practical, meaningful ways. A Voice to Parliament will change this nation. Find out more here.
MEDIA TRAINING
Are you interested in representing The Parenthood and sharing your experiences in the media on paid parental leave, early childhood education and care, or family friendly workplaces? If so, there are still places at our Media Training on May 17 at 12:30pm AEST! All our online training sessions are family-friendly, so kids are more than welcome to be in attendance. Find out more here.
ADVOCACY TRAINING
We want to make Australia the best place in the world to be a parent. It's no small feat - but it is possible - if parents and carers like you volunteer with us.
Now, we get it. Parenting is a MASSIVE unpaid job already and to add volunteering on top of that can be a lot! That's why our volunteering is flexible, family-friendly and fun (or we like to think so!)
So join us on May 23rd at 7:30pm AEST to learn more, meet others and hear from current volunteers.
PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ASKED TO SHARE VIEWS ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is asking parents and guardians for their views on early childhood education services in Australia, as part of its year-long inquiry into the sector.
Parents and guardians are invited to complete a short online survey to share their experiences when looking for and using early childhood education services in Australia.
