MORE RURAL GROUPS JOIN NATIONAL FARMERS’ FEDERATION’S CALL FOR OPPOSITION TO MATCH GOV COMMITMENT ON CHILDCARE DESERTS FUND
22 January 2025 – More groups representing rural Australians have joined the National Farmers’ Federation in calling for the opposition to match the Federal Government’s commitment to spend $1 billion fixing childcare deserts [1].
More than 700,000 Australians currently live in ‘childcare deserts’ [2] – parts of the country with little to no access to early childhood education and care.
A majority of regional and rural Australian communities are deemed childcare deserts.
This dire lack of early childhood education and care places in regional and rural communities sows the seeds of ongoing disadvantage for children in these areas, who are much less likely than their urban counterparts to access the benefits of high-quality learning in the early years, enabling them to start school ready and prepared.
The lack of early education and childcare also prevents primary carers in regional and rural communities, who are predominantly women, from re-entering the workforce should they choose.
It negatively impacts local businesses in regional and rural communities, making it hard to attract and retain staff members as more and more families with young children move out.
This must change.
Regional and rural Australian children and families deserve better.
They deserve the same opportunities to thrive and live up to their full potential as those living in urban areas of Australia.
We join the National Farmers’ Federation in calling on the federal opposition to match or improve on the Government’s commitment to invest $1 billion in building or expanding 160 early childhood education and care centres in areas of need [3].
Quotes attributable to Jay Weatherill, Thrive by Five:
“It is simply unacceptable that large swaths of regional and rural Australia have little to no access to early childhood education and care.
“The market model has failed to deliver for these communities. It is clear that the Government needs to play an active role in ensuring children from these communities can access the transformational benefits of high-quality learning and care in the early years.
“Thrive by Five consistently advocated for cross-party support to establish a dedicated childcare deserts fund. With the Government pledging its support, it is now time for the opposition to commit to this vital reform.”
Quotes attributable to Jo-Anne Quigley, Lower Eyre Council Mayor, RCDAP Spokesperson:
“Now is the time for all parties and candidates to be clear on what action they will take to address the childcare desert in regional communities across Grey.
“Supporting the priorities outlined by organisations like Thrive by Five and the Regional Childcare Desert Advocacy Project is the best approach for our communities.”
[1] Priorities for an incoming Federal Government – National Farmers’ Federation
[2] 700,000 Australians still without childcare access – Victoria University
[3] Next steps in building a universal early education system – Australian Labor