Concerned about rising child care fees, Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters is promoting a plan to help working families save money on early child care.
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Ms Chesters said families face a struggle with child care as federal government fees rise. In February last year, the Productivity Commission reported 50 hours of centre-based day care services cost families in inner regional areas $521 per week in 2019, $499 in 2018 and $487 in 2017.
Ms Chester said Labor's Cheaper Child Care for Working Families plan removes the current $10,560 child care subsidy cap, and raises the maximum child care subsidy rate to 90 per cent.
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"As a parent with a child in care, I know how expensive fees can get and how difficult the system can be to navigate," Ms Chesters said.
"For many families the cost of early childhood education is more expensive than primary school, particularly if there is more than one child enrolled in child care.
"Just like school, access to early learning should be universal. We know that these are some of the most important years for development.
During 2020, the federal government spent $2.6 billion to support families using child care and the early childhood education and care sector. Victorian child care fees were also frozen until January 31 this year.
