Federal Government should follow Queensland’s lead and prioritise early learning investment and reform
23 February 2022 – The Thrive by Five campaign has welcomed media reports today of the Queensland Government’s $1 billion state investment in early childhood education, reducing costs for parents and making early learning free for about 14,000 Queensland children.
There is also support in the Queensland early learning reform package for attracting more qualified teachers to regional kindergartens.
Thrive by Five CEO Jay Weatherill said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has joined NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet in throwing down the gauntlet to the Federal Government on early learning reform.
“When the Federal Government can’t or won’t stand up in a crisis, the states have stepped up to fill the void and get the job done,” he said.
“Queensland has today made a serious commitment to reducing the affordability of early childhood education and care (ECEC), now it’s time for greater action from the Federal Government.
“In one of the first big moves of his premiership, Premier Perrottet spoke at the National Press Club proposing a massive change to Australia’s early learning system and suggested his state government could take over responsibility for running ECEC in NSW.
“The need for reform of the early learning system is clear.
“Making high-quality early learning and care accessible and affordable for all Australian families is our best chance of giving children the right start in life, supporting parents, growing the economy and recovering from the pandemic.
“We need bold action on early learning reform and we need it now,” he said.
