December 2024
Bluey heads to the big screen in global release
The Walt Disney Co and BBC Studios announced a film based on the hit Australian series will arrive in cinemas in 2027.
Four inconvenient truths about universal childcare
Focusing on the disadvantaged and on the components of the system that actually require improvement would cost far less and generate greater benefits.
Childcare package an early Christmas present to parents and children
For government to seek to save pennies by withholding access to early education for the children who will benefit from it the most is not just Scrooge-like behaviour, it’s a false economy.
November 2024
Why families feel like they can never get on top of childcare fees
Marita Tilleraas has experienced childcare systems in Norway and Australia, and says the latter is impossible to understand. Economist Angela Jackson agrees.
September 2024
Childcare must be made universal
The Productivity Commission’s review of early childcare and education is welcome. Australia needs to follow others and make childcare accessible for all.
Review urges free childcare for some at $5b-a-year cost
The Productivity Commission has rejected Labor’s goal of universal childcare, but still wants the country’s poorest families to get three days a week for free.
The case for making childcare costs tax deductable
Government contributions will again increase demand without boosting supply. No wonder fees keep rising.
April 2024
Why this boss wants to help pay for childcare
In an Australian first, u&u Recruitment Partners will subsidise the costs of childcare up to ease the financial burden of returning to work.
March 2024
Women don’t ‘choose’ to work less – there is no choice
The “motherhood penalty” in Australia is higher than our peers. It’s dragging on national productivity.
Toddlers spend three hours a day on screens, miss language learning
Spending more time on devices is depriving children of conversations that help them learn the language, a first-of-its-kind study has found.
January 2024
How ‘Bluey’ conquered the world
The offbeat television show about an animated family of cattle dogs has fast become the country’s most important cultural export.
November 2023
Women ‘priced out of the workforce’ by childcare fees
Australian women are being priced out of work by excessive childcare fees and that is bad for them, skills shortages and the economy.
September 2023
The best start for kids free of fees, Centrelink and activity tests
New analysis reveals poor families readily accessed childcare when it was free during the pandemic – the very children who will get the greatest benefit.
August 2023
Fix education and training to boost productivity: BCA
Australia’s education system is a major drag on productivity, says the BCA, but it doesn’t need to be.
FWC urged not to ‘rubber stamp’ multi-employer talks for childcare
Employers have warned the Fair Work Commission of serious economic consequences if it does not set a high bar for approving the first multi-employer bargaining under Labor’s laws.
Why this professor might have an answer to spiking autism rates
Andrew Whitehouse says the earlier autism is diagnosed, the better for families, schools and societies. He’s testing and proving his theory in Perth.
A family earning $460k with two kids in care can now claim $10,000 in subsidies
Families earning over $350,000 can now claim childcare subsidies. But they need to remember to sign up, warns Entitlemate’s Brendan Ryan.
June 2023
‘Still be better off’: Cheaper childcare for most even with fee rises
Childcare centre operators and Treasurer Jim Chalmers have hit back at claims that more generous childcare subsidies from next Monday will get eaten up by higher fees.
April 2023
Barbie claims to be most diverse doll line on earth
A new Down syndrome Barbie joins the range of 175 dolls.
February 2023
Early childhood strategy to address gaps in health and education
Amid escalating budget pressures from health, welfare and the NDIS, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth wants better co-ordination to address disadvantage.