Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says the childcare deserts holding back Mallee communities will hopefully be a thing of the past thanks to $100 million committed by the Coalition if it forms government at the 3 May election.

“A Dutton – Littleproud Government will establish a new Raising the Regions Program to deliver flexible and innovative approaches to early childhood education and care in regional child care deserts,” Dr Webster said.

“Regional and rural areas of Australia that have limited or no supply will qualify, which is particularly important in locations such as Robinvale and in almost all of Mallee’s 12 shires, including Yarriambiack and Loddon.”

“The Nationals understand how hard it is to deliver early childhood education and care in rural and regional Australia, and the importance of creating choice and flexibility for families and service providers.  Mothers have come to me at my Mobile Office visits across Mallee urging us to fund and end their childcare deserts.  They desperately want to remain in their communities, but the dire shortage of childcare is forcing them to move into larger regional centres, or to Melbourne. 

“The future of our farming communities’ next generation, our towns and food security are on the line.”

“Long day care models of early childhood education do not always work for Mallee communities, which have far fewer children and families spread across vast distances.

“Mallee mothers and fathers are furious that the Albanese Government is giving more subsidies for people on high incomes in the city to access their ‘three days guaranteed child care’ but in their town, they get no guaranteed childcare and therefore no financial support.

“Yet again, Labor robs regions to buy votes in the inner cities. Labor takes the fruit of our farmers’ hard labour in tax and other revenues and spend it in wealthy inner-city areas.”

The Coalition’s Raising the Regions Program will provide funding to support setting up or expanding flexible alternatives to the long-day care model, with potential models including; 

·         Allowing family day care educators to run care out of a community space, such as a town hall or library;

·         Delivery in nature, such as bush kindy;

·         Mobile day care; or

·         Employer-supported models in workplaces.

“Raising the Regions, like Building Better Regions Program announced today and last week’s announcements of the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund, dedicated university places for regional medical doctor training and $8.7 million to support that training at Monash University’s Mildura campus, are all funds set aside exclusively for regions, demonstrating The Nationals’ critical influence within the Coalition at investing back in the nation’s engine room, regional Australia.”

Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Ms Angie Bell MP – whom Dr Webster brought to Mallee to see some of the electorate’s many child care deserts in late October - said the Coalition was committed to giving every child in regional Australia access to quality early learning, regardless of where they live.

“Over the last three years, Labor has failed to meaningfully address issues around quality, affordability or access. Labor’s policies on child care have been full of spin and empty promises,” Ms Bell said.

“Families and children living in regional Australia deserve better. We must create greater flexibility in early childhood education and care models so that children can have the best start in life and primary carers can re-enter the workforce should they choose to.”

This is part of our plan for regional Australia, which includes the establishment of the Regional Australia Future Fund. One of the initial key priorities for this Fund will be delivering flexible child care solutions for families in regional, rural and remote areas.

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