North Coast families and the early learning sector have been left gutted by the Liberal National Government’s decision to “snap-back” to the old childcare system while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip our nation.

Before the pandemic, child care was already expensive and for many families, inaccessible. Late last year we saw child care fees in the Richmond Valley had increased by 6.6% from the year before, and 6.2% in the Clarence Valley.

The electorate of Page has seen the one of the highest rates of job losses in the country, with many families struggling to pay bills, put food on the table and, now, pay child care fees.

The Government also ended JobKeeper for the early learning sector, leaving early educators’ with great uncertainty about the security of their work.

This sector employs hundreds of people across Northern NSW and plays an essential role in the community. 

This is not good enough. The Government must not "snap-back" the old childcare system.