The Albanese Labor Government is spending $11 million of taxpayers’ money in a last ditch attempt to clean up its bungled Worker Retention Payment.
The Department of Education confirmed during Senate Estimates that eight organisations, including three unions, have been given funding to provide “support” to services attempting to apply for the funding.
The Albanese Labor Government is on track to repeat history with another early childhood education infrastructure program set to fail.
It’s clear Labor’s only policy addressing supply of early learning, the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund (BEEF) is completely lacking detail and ambition.
Yesterday’s Senate Estimates did nothing to quell the Coalition’s concerns this will be a repeat of a failed Rudd-era policy which saw just 38 child care centres delivered out of a promised 260.
The Albanese Labor Government’s early childhood education policies have completely collapsed because they have been built on a shaky foundation of broken promises.
In its vain pursuit of a “legacy”, Labor has rushed through ill thought out policies which have made life harder for educators, providers and families.
Senate Estimates yesterday confirmed that despite pouring billions of dollars into the sector, none of Labor’s promises have been, or will be, fulfilled.
KIERAN GILBERT:
Let’s get some more reaction to a few of those stories. Joining me live is the Liberal frontbencher Angie Bell, joins us live from the Gold Coast. Angie, thanks for your time. Let’s start with this issue of interest rates. Obviously so much at stake if the RBA is to move tomorrow, I’m sure many of your constituents would be hoping, praying, that the RBA cuts rates tomorrow as expected.
PETER FEGAN:
Well, it’s RBA day. Will we know by the, well we all should know by this afternoon whether or not the cash rate will come down, of course we will because they’ll call it around 2 o’clock Eastern Standard Time or Queensland time this afternoon. Look, we have a long way to go in solving the cost of living crisis though, let’s be honest. And the 2026 census will have a change to its questioning around gender. And would you pay $25,000 to have dinner with Peter Dutton? There are a few topics I want to discuss this morning and I’ll do it with Angie Bell, she’s the Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education. Shadow Minister joins me on the line, great to have your company this morning.
KIERAN GILBERT:
Let’s get some more reaction to a few of those stories. Joining me live is the Liberal frontbencher Angie Bell, joins us live from the Gold Coast. Angie, thanks for your time. Let’s start with this issue of interest rates. Obviously so much at stake if the RBA is to move tomorrow, I’m sure many of your constituents would be hoping, praying, that the RBA cuts rates tomorrow as expected.
TOM LOWREY:
The Parliament’s final act before rising yesterday for what could be the last sitting week of the term, was to pass Labor’s change to the child care subsidy through the Senate. It means parents will be guaranteed a minimum three days of subsidised child care regardless of how much they work or study, taking a step towards universal child care availability.
To get the Coalition’s view on the Bill, let’s bring in Shadow Early Childhood Education Minister, Angie Bell.
Angie Bell, thanks for joining the Afternoon Briefing.
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.
KIERAN GILBERT:
Let’s bring in Liberal frontbencher Angie Bell. Thanks for your time. Last time you were in office, Joe Hockey as Ambassador successfully lead the effort to carve out an exemption. Do you think we can get it done again this time?
ANGIE BELL:
Well, you’re right. Joe Hockey was an excellent Ambassador for the Coalition to the United States. This is a test for Ambassador Rudd and also for Anthony Albanese’s leadership. This is crunch time for the government, and let’s see if they can negotiate as well as the Coalition did when we were in government.
KIERAN GILBERT:
Welcome back to the program. Joining me now is the Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Angie Bell. Angie, big focus in your space this week. Jason Clare is talking about introducing or expediting the bill, which would remove the activity test for three days of child care for those that work or don’t work, study or don’t study, the activity test will essentially be gone. What’s your position on it, given the speed with which the government is acting on this?