Childcare a bigger issue for Australian Government than paid parental leave

Australians will have to wait and see what the change of Government means for the childcare industry
 
PENRITH, Australia - Sept. 18, 2013 - PRLog -- Childcare a bigger issue for Government than paid parental leave

We will have to wait and see what the change of Government means for the industry


After nine months, the Australian federal election came to an end on 7th September with a win to the Coalition (was it just me or did that election campaign seem to drag on forever?). Since then, many people have asked me what the change in Government will mean for the child care industry.

Unfortunately, it is simply too early to say. The Coalition has promised a review into the current system so not much is going to change in the immediate future.

One thing we do know is that issues around childcare affordability and availability have not changed.

In fact, a recent survey indicated childcare affordability was more important to parents than Tony Abbott’s biggest election promise – his paid parental leave scheme.

The survey (a Galaxy poll of 1,000 professional women commissioned by Early Childhood Australia) showed that almost 70 per cent of people believed affordable childcare would make the biggest difference to families with young children. Only 19 per cent believed paid parental leave was most important – ranking last out of the seven issues.

Given that parental leave generally lasts one year yet child care can last up to five, I can understand why it ranks as more important to families. It seems to me there was a strong focus on parental leave in the build-up to this election but not a whole lot on the bit after parents went back to work. Personally, I think one should go with the other. They need to complement each other and it shouldn’t be a choice between investing in parental leave OR investing in child care.

Whilst a good parental leave scheme will help parents afford to spend time with their babies after they are born,  a policy with a sound investment in childcare will be what encourages them back into the workforce after  this time. Both are important issues for families.

As for the new Government, they have promised an inquiry into the ways the industry can be made more flexible, affordable and accessible. The report will be released within 12 months.

It has also promised to review the Early Years Quality Fund and establish an industry advisory council for the child care sector with a focus on staffing ratios and qualification requirements for workers.

So it really is too early to say what a change in Government will mean for the child care industry.  We just need to sit back and watch this space!
End
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Tags:Childcare, Day Care
Industry:Business, Family
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