Labor hikes childcare $25/day
Thursday, 17 November 2011 10:12
Dr Bruce Flegg MPShadow Minister for Education Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PartnershipsLNP Member for Moggill17 November 2011
Labor hikes childcare $25/day
Parents already struggling with Bligh government cost of living increases will hurt even more as the heartless Bligh Labor Government forces them to pay an extra $25 a day for childcare, the State Opposition said today.
Shadow Minister for Education Dr Bruce Flegg said Anna Bligh and Labor just don’t get it – parents are already stressed and under pressure to make ends meet, but the Bligh government seems intent on tightening the unbearable squeeze.
“Increases of between $3,500 and $6,000 per year for each child are just too much for Queensland families to pay,” Dr Flegg said.
Dr Flegg said the Bligh Government’s Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) Bill 2011 passed in Parliament last night meant more Labor hip pocket pain for parents of young Queenslanders.
“This Bill means Queensland childcare centres and kindergartens will have to have more staff and will be licensed for less children,” Dr Flegg said.
“It is parents who will have to pay.
“The LNP vigorously supports the highest standards in childcare services and supported many aspects of the Bill (National Quality Framework) but the CanDo team refutes the major areas of cost increase,” Dr Flegg said.
Dr Flegg warned of the knock on effects, cautioning parents could be forced out of the workforce because they can’t afford childcare.
“Centres already report parents who have to leave children with friends, neighbours and relatives because they can’t afford current charges,” he said.
“Pricing childcare out of the reach of parents would also force many parents to reconsider their participation in the workforce.
“The LNP will lower the cost of living and save average Queensland families around $250 to $330 a year through reforms to electricity and water pricing, freezing family car rego for a term and scrapping Labor’s $7000 stamp duty slug on the family home,” Dr Flegg said.
For more information contact Dr Flegg’s electorate office on 3378 8020