[Greens-Media] Greens to block skyrocketing childcare fees under Abbott

[Schultz-Byard, Noah (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, 26th November 2013
Greens to block skyrocketing childcare fees under Abbott
The Australian Greens have announced that they will block the scrapping of the Early Years Quality Fund and the freezing of the childcare rebate in the Senate, helping to keep already high childcare fees from skyrocketing.
"Families are already struggling with the cost of childcare and Abbott's plans will only make things worse," the Greens' childcare spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
"Freezing the childcare rebate until 2017 will hurt families who are struggling with cost of living pressures now and long into the future.
"The Early Years Quality Fund was only a small amount of funding but, instead of boosting the fund so that it can increase wages properly, Tony Abbott wants to scrap it altogether."
The scrapping of the EYQF and the freezing of the childcare rebate will both require legislation to pass the Parliament.
"The Greens will vote against Tony Abbott's attempts to cut funding to childcare and drive up fees for parents around the country," Senator Hanson-Young said.
"The childcare sector is in crisis and Abbott's refusal to even consider increasing funding to centres and parents means it will stay that way.
"We face an unsustainable situation where some childcare workers are being paid less than the people who clean the centres.
"Mums and dads across the nation are calling out for affordable, flexible, high quality childcare but the Abbott government simply isn't listening."

Media Contact: Noah Schultz-Byard 0427 604 760

NOAH SCHULTZ-BYARD  MEDIA ADVISER

OFFICE OF SENATOR SARAH HANSON-YOUNG
AUSTRALIAN GREENS SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
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