24/7 childcare may be coming to Australia
The Daily Telegraph - Susie O'Brien - October 23, 2015CHILDCARE services could start operating 24 hours a day seven days a week under a new federal government proposal to deregulate opening hours. In a bid to meet the flexible work demands of parents, centres will no longer have to operate eight hours a day, five days a week, Minister for...
It's the policy, stupid – has Turnbull learned the lesson of Abbott's failure?
The Guardian - Lenore Taylor - October 23, 21015The question is, when the Turnbull government gets down to legislating, rather than just "changing the tone of the debate", will it have learned the Abbott government's lessons? Will it talk to Australians about the services they want governments to pay for, rather than assume smaller government...
Family Tax Benefit cuts to affect thousands
The Australian - Rick Morton - October 22, 2015Almost 140,000 single parents and 76,000 couples will have their Family Tax Benefit Part B reduced under new changes announced by the Coalition this week, senate estimates has been told. Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said the cuts would make life "remarkably harder" for struggling...
Families win as Coalition eases cuts to benefits
The Australian - David Crowe - October 21, 2015Treasurer Scott Morrison has labelled the government's compromise package on cuts to family tax benefits a "better offer", as the Turnbull government retreats on the controversial policy from last year's unpopular budget. Mr Morrison said today's package was the product of months...
Watered down family payments plan no certainty to pass Senate
Sydney Morning Herald - Judith Ireland - October 21, 2015The Coalition's new family payments package has been met with caution and criticism from Labor and the crossbench, suggesting its passage through the Parliament is not guaranteed. Treasurer Scott Morrison and Social Services Minister Christian Porter confirmed details of...
Canberra childcare workers to face court on assault charges
The Canberra Times - Michael Inman and Christopher Knaus - October 21, 2015Four Canberra childcare workers will face court over allegations of physical abuse on children as young as one. It is understood police are also considering laying charges of failing to report against a fifth staff member of the northside centre. The four staff members were this week issued with...
Scott Morrison waters down cuts to family payments
Financial Review - Phillip Coorey - October 20, 2015Savings from the welfare cuts have already been earmarked to help fund a childcare package unveiled in the 2015 budget. To try and keep the changes budget-neutral and pay for childcare, the government has proposed reducing by about $2000 a year family tax benefit part B for eligible single...
Crossbench seek sweeteners for supporting revised family benefit cuts
The Guardian - Lenore Taylor - October 20, 2015Senate crossbenchers are seeking a smorgasbord of sweeteners from the Turnbull government in return for supporting revised cuts to family tax benefits for low-income families. As revealed by Guardian Australia, the new package achieves much lower budget savings than the $6bn in cuts...
No jab no pay law to cut childcare benefits from parents who don't vaccinate their kids goes to Senate
Herlad Sun - October 20, 2015A PLAN to cut childcare benefits from parents who fail to immunise their children is a step closer to passing parliament. Only those with a valid medical reason will be exempt from the $500 million budget-saving crackdown on anti-vaxxers, under legislation which passed the lower house...
Grandparents won't be paid for childcare
SBS.com.au - October 19, 2015Treasurer Scott Morrison is not considering paying grandparents to be child carers. Independent senator Glenn Lazarus wants grandparents financially rewarded for looking after the children of working parents as part of a Senate crossbench wish-list in exchange for supporting the government's...
Government considers plan to pay grandparents who look after children of working families
9News.com.au - October 19, 2015The Turnbull Government is reportedly considering a plan to give grandparents financial incentives for looking after the children of working parents. Due to the high costs of childcare, many Australian families rely on grandparents, who in some cases cut their working hours or retire early to make...
Happy Meal ban and preschool cooking classes: Obesity jury's radical bid to fight flab
Herald Sun - Christopher Gillett - October 19, 2015HAPPY Meals would be banned and preschoolers would be made to take healthy cooking classes under a radical proposal to help solve Victoria's ballooning obesity crisis. High-sugar foods and drinks would also be prohibited from being displayed at check-out aisles to help prevent impulse...
Smoking to be banned at bus stops, taxi ranks, childcare centres and children's sporting events
The Australian - Rose Brennan October 17, 2015THE State Government will ban smoking at bus stops, taxi ranks, childcare centres and children's sporting events under a raft of proposed law changes expected to be announced today. Health Minister Cameron Dick will also investigate changes to tobacco supply licences to allow the Government...
NSW councils still unclear whether amalgamations will go ahead
ABC News - Lucy McNally and Deborah Rice - October 16, 2015Holroyd City Mayor Greg Cummings believes council amalgamations will lead to fewer council-run childcare facilities. "My fear is a corporate driven council wouldn't see the benefits to the community of having this many childcare," he said. Wendy Smith said she was concerned her childcare costs...
Unvaccinated children may dodge Victoria's no job, no play policy
Matt Johnson - Sunday Herald Sun - October 10, 2015PARENTS won't need to prove up-to-date vaccinations for their child before enrolling in childcare or kindergarten under the State Government's "no jab no play" policy. A loophole in draft legislation allows enrolments regardless of vaccination records if parents hold...