Media release
3 May 2022
As Australians prepare to vote in the federal election, the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) has released an online policy explainer (see below) to help families understand the positions of the major parties.
‘We know that early learning and care is such an important issue for Australian families,’ said ELACCA CEO Elizabeth Death. ‘The quality, accessibility and cost of early learning and care matter enormously to parents and carers, and should matter in the next Parliament.’
‘When it comes time to vote, we want families to think about which candidates will support their children’s learning and development,’ Ms Death said.
‘Our policy explainer pulls together commitments from the Labor Party, the Coalition and The Greens, so that families can compare campaign promises.’
ELACCA released its policy statement on the first day of the election campaign, calling on the next Australian Government to:
- Provide all children with a base entitlement of at least two days per week of subsidised early learning and care, regardless of their parents’ engagement in work or study
- Ensure access to early learning and care, and all necessary support in those services, for children who need it most, including children experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability, and those with additional needs and disability
- Increase the Child Care Subsidy rate by 10% at each income threshold, bringing the maximum subsidy rate to 95% for low-income families and the minimum rate to 30%
- Develop a rollout plan for a second year of preschool/kindergarten for all Australian children
- Invest in swift implementation of the new National Children’s Education and Care Workforce Strategy.