4 weeks leave big help for skyrocketing Childcare costs

The cost of childcare is a critical issue for jobs, economic development and social well-being, Progressive MP Matt Robson says.

He says new figures on childcare costs strengthen the argument for his Bill introducing a minimum of four weeks leave.

The figures show childcare is the biggest household budget item after housing for tens of thousands of families. They’re spending more on childcare than they spend at the supermarket or on their car.

Matt Robson is worried by predictions that childcare costs could rise by a third.

“Childcare costs matter for everyone. The cost of childcare keeps many parents out of the workforce, which means the economy can’t take full advantage of our pool of skills at a time of severe skills shortages.

“Just as importantly, the cost of childcare imposes real stress on family budgets. Parents have to work even longer to balance the household budget and that means less time for family.

“A review of government funding for early childhood education is under way. Somehow, one of the outcomes has to be increasingly affordable childcare.”

“The higher the cost of childcare gets, the more important four weeks annual leave becomes for families,” Matt Robson said.

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