Federal election 2025: Labor pledges up to $5m for new Karama child care centre

If re-elected, the Albanese government has promised up to $5 million to build a new child care centre in the northern suburbs. Find out where.

Labor has committed $5m to build a new child care centre in Karama if it wins on May 3. Supplied

The Albanese Labor government has promised to invest up to $5 million towards building a new child care service in Darwin’s northern suburbs, if re-elected on May 3.

The new centre would be in Karama, and Labor has promised to work with the local community to identify an appropriate site for the new service.

It falls under a $1bn commitment made by Anthony Albanese late last year to build early education centres, and is the first Northern Territory site to be confirmed under the fund.

The $1bn would initially be used to build or expand more than 160 education and care centres, including in the regions and outer suburbs to improve access in areas where it is needed most.

New services would be located on school sites wherever possible, and funding directed at state and territory governments, along with not-for-profit providers.

The Prime Minister also vowed a re-elected Labor government would give households with a combined income of less than $530,000 access to three days of subsidised care, replacing the coalition’s “unfair” activity test.

Albanese has promised $1bn for more early education centres across Australia, including in Karama. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

“Only Labor has a plan to build a universal early childhood education system that is simple, affordable and accessible for every family and where every child is guaranteed access to at least three days of high-quality early childhood education and care,” Labor said in a media release.

“Thanks to the Albanese Labor government, families will be eligible to access at least three days a week of subsidised child care from January 2026.

“We’ve also funded a 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators – helping grow the workforce so more children can access early education. We’ll also keep fees low for families by capping fee increases as part of our wage increase.”

Solomon MP Luke Gosling said the Karama child care commitments were “all about giving our kids the best start in life and getting them ready for school”.

“Labor is about opening the doors of opportunity, while Peter Dutton has voted to slam it shut,” he said.