MEDIA RELEASE

THE SHAYNE NEUMANN MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR

The Albanese Labor Government cheaper child care package will commence soon from 1 July, with 8,900 local families in Blair to be better off as a result of the reforms.

The changes will deliver more affordable early childhood education and care for around 1.2 million families across the country, and around 96 per cent of families with a child in early childhood education and care will benefit.

From 1 July 2023, the child care subsidy for families earning $80,000 or less will increase to 90 per cent.

This means a family on a combined income of $120,000 with one child in care will save around $1,780 in the first year alone under the plan.

It will also ensure parents, especially mothers, can work more paid hours if they want to, meaning more money in the pockets of families.

The cheaper child care policy will provide household budget relief for families struggling with rising costs of living, while also improving the economic security of women.

The changes are expected to boost workforce participation and productivity, with Treasury modelling indicating the plan will add the equivalent of up to 37,000 workers to the economy in the first year.

In addition, the first five years of a child’s life are vital to brain development, so more affordable early childhood education and care allows more children to access the health and education benefits of foundation years learning.

For this reason, the package includes an increase in the number of subsidised child care hours available to First Nations families.

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the start of the Albanese Government’s cheaper child care policy next month was great news for local families.

“This will deliver more affordable early education and care for almost 9,000 local families in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area.

“We know working families are feeling the pressure of rising costs of living, so that’s why we’re increasing the Child Care Subsidy from July.

“Under the former Liberal-National government, child care fees increased by 49 per cent, but we’re driving down out-of-pocket costs.

“These big reforms the Albanese Labor Government is delivering are good for children, good for families and good for the economy.

“Labor in opposition promised cheaper child care at the election and now we’re delivering it in government.

“We know there is more to do to help ease cost of living pressures for Australian families. We have made a good start, but we will keep working hard to deliver long-lasting positive change,” Mr Neumann said.