Media Statement - 16th November 2007
Our children’s early years are arguably their most important.
Federal Labor understands that investing in the health, education, development and care of our young is a sensible investment that benefits the individual, our community and the economy.
International research demonstrates that investment in the early years yields a high rate of return measured in terms of individual achievement, productivity and participation.
Investing in high quality early education and care can reduce the effects of disadvantages faced at birth.
Despite these clear social and economic benefits, Australia’s investment in early education is only one fifth of the OECD average, placing us at the bottom of the ladder of developed nations.
Federal Labor has set out an ambitious and comprehensive plan to address this deficit and provide a stronger platform for our children.
Federal Labor will provide national leadership to improve the quality of early childhood services in Australia. Under a Rudd Labor Government, the early years will be a national priority.
Federal Labor’s Plan for Early Childhood will:
- Make child care more affordable for more than 700,000 Australian families by lifting the Child Care Tax Rebate to 50 per cent, up to $7,500 per child each year. Under Federal Labor, government assistance for child care will meet up to 82 per cent of parents’ costs.
- Make child care more accessible by establishing 260 new long day care centres on school, TAFE, University and community sites.
- Improve the quality of child care by investing $77 million in the training and education of the workforce and setting tougher standards for child care providers.
- Ensure every four year old child has access to fifteen hours a week and 40 weeks a year of high quality preschool delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher.
Federal Labor will also ensure there is a greater focus our children’s healthy development through:
- A Healthy Kid’s Check for four year olds.
- A national rollout of the Australian Early Development Index in Australian primary schools.
- $32.5 million to roll out the Home Interaction Program in 50 disadvantaged communities across Australia to help parents to prepare their children for school.
- Comprehensive early intervention and specialised child care services for children with autism.
Federal Labor’s commitment includes an unprecedented focus on Indigenous children to close the life expectancy gap within a generation, and infant mortality gap within a decade.