[Greens-Media] More funding, not more nannies, needed to address childcare crisis

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

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, 8 December 2014

More funding, not more nannies, needed to address childcare crisis

Australian childcare is in crisis and the Abbott government must commit to increasing funding to the sector, the Australian Greens have said.

"Tony Abbott must fix the crisis in long day care and not just give rich people money so that they can have private nannies," the Greens' childcare spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"The Prime Minister's obsession with funding nannies will come at the cost of the majority of families who have kids in childcare and kindergarten.

"Tony Abbott's vague undertaking to dump paid parental leave won't cut it this time. He has to commit to increasing funding to childcare so that every Australian family has access to high quality, affordable and flexible care.

"The Greens have long been advocates for better and fairer paid parental leave. The idea that we can only have an adequate paid parental leave scheme or high quality childcare is false. We need both and both must meet the needs of the majority of families, while catering for the most vulnerable children.

"With the childcare sector in crisis it's clear that tinkering at the edges, while refusing to increase funding, isn't the answer.

"Australian mums and dads have been calling out for an increase in funding to the sector. So far, the Abbott government has refused to listen."


Media Contact: Noah Schultz-Byard 0427 604 760


NOAH SCHULTZ-BYARD  STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATIONS ADVISER

OFFICE OF SENATOR SARAH HANSON-YOUNG
AUSTRALIAN GREENS SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
[fb-icon]<https://www.facebook.com/Senator.Sarah.Hanson.Young>[twt-icon]<https://twitter.com/sarahinthesen8> [ag-icon] <http://sarah-hanson-young.greensmps.org.au/>
Level 7 / 147 Pirie St, Adelaide, SA 5000
TEL  +61 8 8227 0425   |   MOB  +61 427 604 760   |   FAX  +61 8 8227 0426

[email_sig]