TEHAN’S GREAT LEAP BACKWARDS

Anyone concerned about the absence of the Liberal Education Minister from the election campaign can relax – Dan is back, claiming taxpayer funding of early education and child care is “communism”. 

 

This election is a choice between a Shorten Labor Government which will support families and invest in our children’s future, or more cuts and chaos from Dan Tehan and the Liberals.  

 

When the Minister for Education criticises more funding for early education,  
Scott Morrison’s government has reached a new low. 

 

David Cameron’s Conservative Government backed free child care in the British election in 2015. 

 

And the conservative Abe Government just passed a law for cheaper child care in Japan. 

 

Does Dan think these are communist agendas from conservative governments? 

 

It was only last week the Liberal candidate claimed that Labor’s National Preschool and Kindy Program is a ‘conspiracy to strengthen government control over child raising.’ 

 

What will the Liberals come up with next? 

 

The sad fact is the Liberals have no plans for early education and nothing good to say about investing in our children or helping families with the cost of living.  

 

Labor has a plan for a world-class early education and child care system, and plan to provide cost of living relief for nearly one million families. The Liberals’ only policy is to cut preschool funding after next year. 

 

If Dan Tehan disputes any of this, he should accept the debate the sector has scheduled for this Thursday night.  

 

The Minister was invited to attend this debate over six weeks ago. I have also written to the Minister to ask him to attend the debate. 

 

There will be an empty chair on stage for the Minister.  

 

Under the Liberals, child care is more expensive, access has been reduced, red tape has increased and access to two days of free preschool will be cut next year.  

 

After six years of the Liberals’ cuts and chaos, our united Labor team is ready to deliver a fair go for all Australians, not just the top end of town.