Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party have confirmed they will go to the next election promising to cut funding to early childhood education and care.
On 7.30 last night, Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said:
"But reducing the activity test or getting rid of the activity test, in fact, is not something at a time like this that we think the country can afford."
This comes after the Albanese Labor Government announced it will guarantee three days of subsidised early education for the children who need it most through reforms to the activity test.
The Liberal Party have also criticised the Albanese Labor Government's commitment to ensure more children get access to early education, by building more early education centres in the outer suburbs and regions.
Australian families in the outer suburbs and regional areas now know that Peter Dutton will cut funding to early education and care if he wins the next election, leaving children outside the inner cities behind.
The choice at the next election could not be clearer.
The Albanese Labor Government will expand access to early education for families in the outer suburbs and regional Australia, ensuring all children get the best possible start in life.
Peter Dutton's Liberals will rip funding from early education. Just like the Liberal Party cut funding to schools when they were last in power, they will cut funding to early education if they win the next election.
The Liberal Party has become the anti-education, anti-aspiration party and Peter Dutton is a risk to families across Australia.
The Albanese Labor Government's Building Early Education Fund and a 3 Day Guarantee for subsidised early education have been described as "momentous" by groups representing parents and workers.
Quotes attributable to Education Minister Jason Clare:
"Peter Dutton has admitted he will cut funding to child care across Australia.
"Peter Dutton is a risk Australian families can't afford."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Anne Aly:
"This is unsurprising from a Coalition led by Peter Dutton, who thinks early learning is a way to make a profit not educate our children.
"The Albanese Labor Government believes all children should be able to access a quality education - while the Liberals want to hold back children in the outer suburbs and regions.
"Labor has a plan to build early education centre for our children and keep out-of-pocket costs low for families. Peter Dutton wants to build nuclear and drive up Australian power bills."
