Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King visited Goodstart Childcare Centre in Ballarat today to meet with teachers and families who will be impacted by the Abbott Government’s cuts to childcare and early learning programs.
The Abbott Government has means tested and cut the Child Care Benefit payment with the eligibility starting to fall away when families earn just $42,000.
The Department of Education says 500,000 families across Australia will be worse off because of these Child Care Benefit changes.
“The Abbott Government campaigned on making child care more affordable, yet are taking away this support for early education,” Ms King said.
“Not content with cutting funding for the Outside Schools Hours programme, cutting funding for Family Day Care Services, and taking money away from early childhood educators, they have now cut Child Care Benefits which many families across the region rely on.
“Many families and their children, like those who attend Goodstart Childcare depend upon this support. The Abbott Government is attacking low income families who need this support for their children’s early education.
“Families in Ballarat are being let down by the Abbott Government when it comes to childcare.”