An update for this evening :-
Australia’s largest, not for profit, childcare provider is urging Parliament to get on with childcare reform following the release of the Government’s omnibus bill.
Goodstart Early Learning, which has childcare centres across the nation, says more than 70% of families are likely to be about $30 per week better off under the childcare changes and it was time they were voted into law.
"Childcare reform should be judged on its own merits and passed by the Senate right now. The reforms pay for themselves by providing both productivity and education benefits," Goodstart CEO, Julia Davison said today.
"With the current rebate frozen since 2008, families are crying out for help to make vital childcare more affordable.
"The reforms being proposed need some minor, affordable amendments to make them fairer for low income and vulnerable Indigenous families.
"We welcome Education Minister Simon Birmingham’s comments today that he was willing to continue discussions with the early learning and care sector and the Senate crossbenches to ‘make sure that children can access two days a week of quality early learning in two appropriately hour timed sessions of care’.
"The research is clear, children need a minimum of 15 hours of quality early learning (two sessions) each week to ensure they get the benefits of early learning to help get them ready for school and life.
"The Senate needs to change the current bill to help families who would otherwise be worse off because of the proposed changes. These modest amendments must be a priority," Ms Davison said.
(20min delay)