In Indi, there are three children for every childcare place. When there aren’t enough childcare places, children miss out on all the benefits of childcare, and parents can’t work. Families in regional areas face shortages at more than twice the rate of families in the major cities.  

Australia spends less on early childhood education than many other developed countries. Lack of childcare is the number one barrier to women entering or re-entering the workforce. This impacts the household budget and national productivity.  

And once again the solutions that might apply in the cities don’t work in the regions, especially in small towns. Every year we underinvest is another year that the problem deepens.   

I will also push the government to double capital funding for new and upgraded childcare centres from $500 million to $1 billion. This could increase the number of childcare places in Indi by up to 10 per cent. 

Good early childhood education helps kids learn and grow. It helps parents work. And it strengthens our economy.   

Last year five outside school hours care services across Indi faced potential closure after their funding was unexpectedly cut. 

On becoming aware of this issue, I raised it with the Minister for Early Childhood Education and in person. I worked with her office and the services on an interim solution to deliver a lifeline of funding.  This was a significant win for communities across the north east. 

But the threat of losing funding showed changes are needed for the Community Childcare Fund to allocate funding based on need instead of a competitive grant process. 

If a childcare provider is the only one in a town or region and needs extra support, they should get it. 

My plan will increase sustainability support through the Community Child Care Fund by moving from competitive grant processes to one based on need.