More affordable child care for Riverina and Central West families

The Nationals’ Member for Riverina and Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack has welcomed the move by the Coalition Government to introduce legislation into the Parliament to make the Australian child care system more affordable, flexible and accessible for Australian families.

“The reforms will give around one million Australian families relief from out-of-pocket child care cost pressures and provide more children with the opportunity to benefit from early education,” Mr McCormack said.

“I’m pleased that these reforms will support those who work the most and earn the least. For example, a working family earning $60,000 a year will pay around $15 per day for child care.
 

“The Government will also remove Labor’s cap on the $7,500 Child Care Rebate – meaning there will be more incentive for parents who want to enter the workforce or work more.

The package of reforms will also increase fortnightly payments to people who receive Family Tax Benefit Part A by up to an additional $20 per fortnight per child up to 19 years of age. This will deliver more timely assistance to 1.2 million families, helping parents in managing the day-to-day living expenses of their 2.2 million children.

“With regard to paid parental leave (PPL), the Government will increase Government-provided PPL from 18 weeks to 20 weeks – providing an extra two weeks leave for almost 100,000 low-income families,” Mr McCormack said.

“This is great news for the more than 50 per cent of eligible low-income mothers whose employers do not provide their own paid parental leave.

“To ensure fairness in the system, mothers receiving PPL from their employers will have access to Government-funded PPL up to a combined total of 20 weeks. This is important to ensure that taxpayer-funded PPL is sustainable into the future while allowing parents to spend vital time with their newborns and growing families.”

Cristy Houghton