“This cash grab from the government, which is aimed at fixing Labor’s budgetary mess, will affect almost 21,000 families, and every additional consumer price index increase will add further cost to the price of childcare,” Mr Tehan said.
Federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan last night in Federal Parliament attacked the Labor government’s Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care Budget Measures) Bill 2010 for cutting the childcare rebate and increasing cost of living pressures on families.
“This cash grab from the government, which is aimed at fixing Labor’s budgetary mess, will affect almost 21,000 families, and every additional consumer price index increase will add further cost to the price of childcare,” Mr Tehan said.
“This is clear from the estimated savings from the Bill which will rise from $5.7 million in 2010–11 to $42 million in 2013–14.
“How can the government argue that something that increases their coffers by cutting funding to families will not be to the detriment of the families it is taking the funding away from?
“This is Labor’s spin at its best. This government knows no shame. How could it argue that it is fair to cut funding from families struggling with increased childcare costs?”
Some industry groups predict associated cost increases of $12‐$22 a day as a result of the National Quality Framework. If the worst case fee increases projected by industry representatives come to pass, it would substantially increase the impact of this change. It is obvious that as the indexation freeze progresses, the financial burden on families will only grow.
“The government is squeezing the life out of Australian families already. In my electorate, small rural and regional communities are already being forced to fundraise for kindergartens, for community centres, for improved health services and for aged care facilities.
“These communities are often already under strain, as local government rates are forced upwards because State Labor governments continually cost‐shift services onto rural councils. That the government still wishes to make it more difficult for these families is beyond belief.
“If you look at the Labor government’s shameful record on childcare, kindergartens and tertiary education, they have the learning trifecta. The Gillard government is making it harder for families to access childcare, it’s making it harder for country kids to go to kindergarten, and it’s making it harder for country students to access tertiary education.
“And all this coming from a Prime Minister who states her biggest claim to fame is her education credentials. This bill is shameful in its cynicism. It is nothing but a cash grab and that is why I opposed it. It should be retitled: “The Reduce Family Assistance Legislation Amendment Bill, Childcare (Try and Fix the) Budget Measure.”
Copyright © 2010 : Authorised by Dan Tehan, 190 Gray St, Hamilton VIC 3300
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