|
Investing in Better Child Care for Families |
|
|
|
|
Written by Georgina Anderson
|
|
Tuesday, 13 November 2007 |
 The Coalition has a comprehensive plan to help parents choose the best way to balance their family and work responsibilities, so that they can take advantage of the opportunities in our strong and growing economy.
That’s why since 1996, the Coalition Government has doubled the number of child care places; increased financial subsidies to cut the cost of child care for families; and has raised the quality of child care services.
From April 2008, a re-elected Coalition Government will pay the 30 per cent Child Care Tax Rebate directly to child care services so that they can pass on this benefit to parents immediately, when they need it most.
This will have the effect of cutting by 30 per cent the amount parents have to pay upfront to their child care service each week.
From April 2008 around 500,000 families will have their weekly out-of-pocket costs reduced up front.
The Coalition will also increase access to child care places in areas of need by providing capital funding of up to $1 million for local councils to build or extend 35 child care centres.
We will also implement an even stronger Child Care Quality Accreditation System, including random spot checks, by July 2008.
These initiatives will complement our comprehensive Tax Reform Plan which will encourage more people into work – and will particularly benefit working women with children, 65% of whom will pay no more than 15 cents in the dollar in tax.
This unprecedented level of support for families is only possible because of the Coalition Government’s continued strong economic management.
Investing in better child care for families: Part of the plan to keep Australia strong, prosperous and secure in the future.
For example:
A family using the same care on an income of $60,000 per annum currently pays $124.66 a week after CCB. They will now pay $87.26 a week per child. This is a saving to the family budget of $37.40 a week.
* Based on average fee of $246 a week and full-time (50hr) care at 2007/08 CCB rates. |
Key Announcements 
