Greens’ $29b free childcare push as part of minority govt

Families would have access to 50 hours of free childcare a week under a Greens plan to ease hip-pocket pressure.

Families would have access to 50 hours of free childcare a week under a Greens plan to ease hip-pocket pressure.

The massive $29bn early childhood package would form a key part of negotiations for the minor party if they are in the balance of power following the May 3 poll.

The party would also extend universal access to preschool to 30 hours a week for all three and four year olds – which some states provide top up payments for – and reform childcare funding.

“In a wealthy country like ours everyone should be able to afford childcare, but too many families are struggling with the cost,” Greens leader Adam Bandt said.

”What Labor’s doing isn’t working, and Peter Dutton would take childcare backwards.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt: ‘Experts predict we’re heading for a minority parliament’

“Experts predict we’re heading for a minority parliament, where the Greens will keep Dutton out and push Labor to treat early childhood education like school, where it should be free to go with quality guaranteed.”

Mr Bandt said the plan – which is funded over four years – would also include money to address childcare deserts, as well as increase capacity in not-for-profit and public providers to reduce waitlists.

A new independent commission to monitor the quality and availability of childcare centres would also be established.

It would also have the power to make centres publicly operated if a private operator decided to exit the system to avoid availability gaps.

Greens early childhood education spokesperson Steph Hodgins-May said the Child Care Subsidy model was failing families.

“It doesn’t guarantee access to childcare, it doesn’t protect them against fee hikes, and it has created a playground for cowboys operators to profit off our children,” she said.

Other priorities for the Greens if there is a hung parliament is dental into Medicare and an ending native forest logging.

Originally published as Greens’ $29b free childcare push as part of minority govt