General News
8 February, 2025
NRWC lobbying on childhood education
The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC) is tasking all sides of politics to deliver on policies investing in childhood early education and care in the lead-up to the federal election, following Labor’s announcement of a $1 billion fund to build or expand early learning centres in areas of high need.
NRWC president Jan Clifford OAM says the NRWC welcomes the federal government’s Building Early Education Fund to build or expand more than 160 early learning centres and is now calling on the coalition to match this.
“It’s important all parties deliver social policy that uplifts and supports young families to live and work in remote, rural and regional Australia, ahead of the federal election,” Ms Clifford said.
The NRWC recognises equitable access to early education in the formative years of a child’s life is important in providing the foundation for future wellbeing and success.
“That is why all children, regardless of their postcode, deserve every opportunity to access quality early childhood education and care, and their parents and carers should feel confident they can give their child the best start to life in regional Australia,” she added.
NRWC chief executive officer Keli McDonald agrees, adding that preferred levels of workforce participation should also be a choice given to parents and carers.
“When early childhood education and care is not accessible, parents and carers in the bush – more often than not, women – lose the agency to make the best choice for their families, children and careers out of necessity,” Ms McDonald said.
“We know many rural women want – and need – to return to work, either part or full-time, but are unable to due to childcare constraints around availability and accessibility,” she added.
“Not only does this affect our overall workforce, it leads to women missing out on leadership opportunities, limits financial independence, and places strain on families already feeling the pinch of inflation,” Ms McDonald explained.
Without access to reliable, quality early childhood care and education, the regions risk losing skilled workers who want to return to the workforce but are unable to.
“We are talking about doctors and nurses, teachers, allied health professionals, farmers, business owners and operators – all who have an important role in the financial prosperity and long-term sustainability of our bush communities,” Ms McDonald said.
“If we truly want to strengthen our communities and economies then let’s give young families the resources to dictate what their family planning looks like because when families prosper, so too does country Australia.”
