Coalition must prioritise early childhood education

Making early childhood education and care more affordable and accessible should be front and centre of the Coalition’s pitch to boost women’s economic security, says The Parenthood in its media release.

Making early childhood education and care more affordable and accessible should be front and centre of the Coalition’s pitch to boost women’s economic security, says The Parenthood.

Last night, Liberal Senator Jane Hume announced that the Liberal-National Coalition is investigating policies to provide women with greater financial freedom.

CEO of The Parenthood, Georgie Dent welcomed the Coalition’s announcement and challenged the Opposition to commit to evidence-based reforms across early childhood education and care and paid parental leave to redress the motherhood penalty which erodes women’s economic security.

“It’s excellent to see the importance of women’s economic security acknowledged by both of the major parties,” said Ms Dent. “That being said, no credible conversation about supporting the economic participation or financial security of women can occur without tackling early childhood education and care and paid parental leave.”

“Characterising these policies as welfare is misguided: they represent serious economic reform that’s fundamental to level the playing field for women to attain financial security.” 

“The Coalition has vowed to deliver policies that give women the opportunity to ‘genuinely choose their own path’, but choice is exactly what has been taken from too many Australian women after having children because of the lack of accessible and affordable early childhood education in our country.”

“Any discussion about women’s financial literacy that doesn’t address the root drivers of women collectively working and earning less is inadequate.”

ABS data found that caring responsibilities are the largest barrier to employment for 75 per cent of women with children under 15 years, who say they want a job or more working hours.

“Totally affordable and accessible early learning services undoubtedly give women the freedom to balance their family and caring responsibilities with work on their own terms.

“Equally, women’s financial independence will be lifted by an adequate and equitable paid parental leave scheme, offering twelve months, which actively encourages men and women to share the care. This would enable more mums to re-enter the paid workforce on their own terms after having children, boost their financial security and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.

“It’s important that the systems that most effectively impact women’s economic equality, early childhood education and paid parental leave, are recognised not as welfare systems, but critical societal infrastructure that can support women to balance their careers as well as their families,” said Ms Dent.

“Among our top priorities we’d like to see a universal early learning system legislated by the Government, the childcare subsidy eligibility system – also known as the Activity Test – abolished, paid parental leave entitlements increased to twelve months, and a wage rise for early childhood educators that reflects the essential and complex nature of their work,” said Ms Dent.