Wednesday, 30 July 2014

Australia Local Government - Budget freeze on child care funding to affect the vulnerable & workforce participation


PSI affiliate the  ASU recently lodged a submission into the Senate Inquiry examining the Abbott Government's proposed income test freeze for the calculation of Child Care Benefit. We are objecting to the freeze on the basis that it will adversely affect the vulnerable most, including low income families and those with children at risk, along with workforce participation, a widely acknowledged factor in economic health. We call on the Government to reassess its spending priorities and not undermine child care funding, one of the engines of the economy.
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Freezing the Child Care Benefit income thresholds for three years will effectively reduce the amount of benefits received by some low and middle-income families and reduce the number of families which receive the benefits.

"We are concerned that the legislation, if passed, will have a number of negative consequences for stakeholders in the sector, from the children and their families, right through to our members who provide valued early childhood education and care,"

Read full article at http://www.asu.asn.au/news/categories/localgovt/140728-child-care-benefit-funding