Media release: Education and care sector welcomes new government and urges change beyond “cheaper childcare"
With Anthony Albanese sworn in this morning as Australia’s 31st prime minister, the Australian education and care sector looks forward to working alongside a new government.
With a key election promise from Labor for cheaper childcare, peak-body for the education and care sector, Community Child Care Association (CCC), are hopeful that more support for the sector is just around the corner.
CCC’s Executive Director, Julie Price, shared “we are excited to see some fresh faces in office, and to see the plans that will create better outcomes for all Australian children.”
“We congratulate the Labor Party for their historic victory, and honour those from across the political spectrum who have assisted us in creating meaningful change in the last term.”
“As we work towards delivering more affordable education and care, it’s vital that no corners are cut when it comes to quality.”
“Families need access to affordable high-quality education and care wherever they live, and that means we must fight for a sector that’s got the support it needs to deliver it. Educators have been under enormous pressure, even before COVID, and the system needs to change.”
“Along with other peak bodies, we’ve identified a 6 Point Plan for education and care that sees system overhaul, regular rating and assessment, better conditions and pay for workers, and the establishment of more services that support the needs of all children, no matter their postcode, their specific needs or family’s income” said Price.
In April, then Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Amanda Rishworth, joined CCC and sector peaks for a Pre-Election Forum on education and care and expressed that “a solution needs to be found”.
When discussing the need for a national industrial instrument, Rishworth noted “we do need to look at the industrial instrument and make sure we get it properly recognised” further stressing the importance that it must be “better valued across the community”.
According to Rishworth in a recent tweet, under Labor’s plan 96 percent of Australian families will be better off.
CCC’s Julie Price remarked, “we are excited for what’s ahead and look forward to working with Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party to help create a better system that delivers lasting results for children and their communities”.