Sharman Stone MP

The Gillard Labor Government’s back flip decision today on paying child care rebate more frequently is another admission that they have got a key policy terribly wrong.

 

Today’s announcement that parents can receive child care rebate payments fortnightly could have happened on 24 June when the Senate passed an opposition amendment to make that possible, said Dr Sharman Stone, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Childcare.

 

“With Labor support, parents could have had the money in their pockets from 1 July 2010 but will now have to wait a full 12 months to receive this fee relief,” Dr Stone said.

 

“Up to 25% of parents failing to pay fees is common in child care centres I am visiting right around the country. They are facing fees of up to $100 per day with fees rising to meet the cost of higher wages and to meet the cost of Labor’s new National Quality Framework. 

 

“If the Gillard Government had any sympathy for working families it would have made the child care rebate change on 24 June, effective immediately. Instead, in Parliament on that day, Labor deferred the issue indefinitely.

 

“While she was making today’s announcement, the Prime Minister should also have abandoned the Government’s plan to cut the rebate cap by $278 per year and reinstated indexing.

 

“Families also want to know will Ms Gillard reinstate start-up grants for Family Day Care, axed by Labor, and reintroduce Federal support for occasional care.

 

“Most families need two incomes to survive the spiralling costs of living but this Labor Government is forcing women out of the work force with high child care costs they cannot pay.”