Thrive by Five urges Australia to follow Canadian lead with record investment in childcare
20 April 2021 – The Thrive by Five campaign has urged Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to follow the Canadian Government’s lead and make a record investment in early learning and childcare.
The Canadian Government today announced it will spend CAD$30 billion over five years to help offset the cost of early learning and childcare services.
Thrive by Five CEO Jay Weatherill said the Federal Government should place childcare reform at the heart of its upcoming Budget or risk falling even further behind other nations.
“Governments around the world are recognising early learning and childcare as national investment priorities as they seek recovery from the pandemic, now it’s time Australia steps up,” he said.
“Every Australian community deserves a trusted early learning centre that fulfils any and every need of local parents and children.
“We know early learning and childcare are some of the best investments Australia can make for growing workplace participation, easing cost of living pressure on households and giving children the best possible start in life.
“Universally accessible, high-quality childcare is also vital for dismantling the gender discrimination embedded in our economy, where we’ve ended up with a system that doesn’t adequately support women with children and actively punishes too many women who want to work more than part-time.
“A key test of the upcoming Federal Budget will be whether it can prioritise early learning funding and availability, deliver greater equality and ease pressure on young families,” Mr Weatherill said.
Thrive by Five Budget submission is available here.
