A new national survey of more than 4,500 people has revealed that 65 per cent, or two in three Australians, support capping early childhood education fees at $10 a day for all families.
Results from the latest edition of Thrive by Five’s annual Early Learning Monitor highlight that introducing daily early learning fee caps is supported by a majority of Australians across all demographics and voting lines.
The results come after the Centre for Policy Development recently recommended a fee cap, and parliamentarians including Zoe Daniel MP and Senator Louise Pratt threw their support behind a draft bill that would enshrine in law every child’s right to high quality early learning.
Jay Weatherill from Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five campaign said the results provided a strong mandate for decision-makers to introduce legislation that caps early learning fees at $10 a day and helps Australia move a step closer to a truly universal early childhood education and care system.
“The results are clear. A majority of all Australians across all backgrounds and political affiliations, especially families with young children, support capping early learning fees at $10 a day,” Mr Weatherill said.
“The Productivity Commission, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, leading experts on education and economics, and prominent advocacy groups have all recommended that the Federal Government makes early learning more affordable.
“Now the voters have expressed their overwhelming support for this idea as well.
“In today’s polarised political environment, it is rare that a policy proposal gets majority support from people across the spectrum.
“But these results have shown just that. A strong majority of voters, regardless of their politics, supports the introduction of early learning fee caps.
“By making early childhood education and care truly affordable and accessible we can help ensure that all Australian children get the best possible start to life, setting them up for success.
“We can help ensure that primary carers, who are predominantly women, can re-enter the workforce should they choose to.
“We can help strengthen and grow the Australian economy through this increased workforce participation.
“And we can help ensure that families with young children are supported at a time of ever-increasing financial pressures.
“Voters and experts alike agree that capping early learning fees is a sensible piece of reform that will provide invaluable support for young children and their families. Now it’s time for our politicians to take action,” Mr Weatherill said.
The polling comes as the Federal Government considers the final report of the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into early childhood education and care.
