Labor’s only guarantee for child care: uncertainty

Angie Bell MP
Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education
Shadow Minister for Youth
Federal Member for Moncrieff

MEDIA RELEASE

Labor’s only guarantee for child care: uncertainty

13 February 2025

The Albanese Government’s political games in parliament this fortnight has reinforced Labor’s complete neglect of Australia’s early childhood education system, creating uncertainty for providers, educators and families.

Since coming to power, Labor’s early childhood education policies have completely failed families on every front, and in a desperate attempt to create a legacy, the Albanese Labor Government has now rammed through changes that will make life harder for working families.

Contrary to Labor’s claims, its ‘Three Day Guarantee’ will not increase access or equity for children. Rather, it will achieve the opposite.

In fact, Labor has removed long standing priority of access provisions, which means those who need the support of early childhood education the most – whether they are working families or vulnerable families – may be stuck languishing on waiting lists behind those who don’t.

That means families who rely on the sector for support while they work, study or train, will be forced to compete for limited places against families who do not work, or do not need child care to work.

Once again, Labor is at war with aspirational Australian families who are trying to get ahead to provide a better future for their children.

Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education Angie Bell said Labor has shown Australian families time and time again, they are completely out of touch with reality.

“Labor promised child care would be cheaper. Instead, we’ve seen the cost of child care soar by 22.3%, and since the government’s $4.7 billion “Cheaper Child Care” changes, out of pocket fees have risen by 12.7%.

“Labor also promised 200,000 educators would receive a pay rise by Christmas. But we know that by the end of January, 85% of educators were missing out.

“Labor’s latest changes will only increase demand in a sector that is at capacity. It removes priority of access for working families and vulnerable families.

“It does nothing for regional families who cannot access early childhood education for one day, let alone three.

“Labor’s policy does nothing for hardworking families who do not work ordinary hours like our nurses, police or factory workers.

“Over the last three years, the Albanese Labor government has made it very clear it does not care what educators and families need. Labor only cares about what Labor needs.”

The Coalition is committed to providing Australian families and educators with certainty. We will ensure families have access to affordable and flexible quality early childhood education.

Australians can’t afford another three years of Labor.

[ENDS]