Thrive by Five Welcomes Appointment of New Shadow Education Minister, Highlights Opportunity for Bi-Partisan Support for Early Learning Reform
15 February 2023 – Thrive by Five has welcomed the appointment of Sarah Henderson as the Shadow Minister for Education as an opportunity for bipartisan support for a new guarantee of universally accessible, affordable and high-quality early learning for every Australian child.
In an Open Letter released today, a group of civil society and early learning groups, parents, unions and educators led by Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five initiative called on Early Years Summit attendees and the Federal Government for commitment to a break-through guarantee for every Australian child, bound by legislation and operationalised by a new Federal and state early childhood body.
Jay Weatherill, Director of the Thrive by Five initiative said, “Early learning took centre stage at last year’s Federal election and the momentum for bold, ambitious reform has only grown since then.
“Reform is not the work of one party or one government, Australia must have bipartisan support for this once-in-a-generation early childhood education and care opportunity to be realised.
“Thrive by Five looks forward to working with new Minister Sarah Henderson and the Coalition Federal Opposition on finding common ground and achieving ambitious reform.
“The changes needed to the early learning are two-speed, with urgent action and long-term planning and change to transform the system and deliver better outcomes for children, parents, families, our economy and society.
“It starts now. This week’s Early Years Summit cannot simply tinker at the edges, nor can it remain tethered to the past,” he said.
