Free Childcare
1. This Conference Notes:
• The high cost of childcare remains a significant barrier to workforce participation, particularly for women, who are often primary caregivers.
• Research shows that access to affordable, high-quality childcare has long-term benefits for children's development and can contribute to closing the gender pay gap.
• Various countries have successfully implemented free or highly subsidized childcare systems, resulting in higher workforce participation rates and improved gender equality.
• The current patchwork of subsidies and support systems in Australia can be confusing and insufficient for many families, leaving gaps in access and affordability.
• The economic benefits of increased workforce participation and gender equality far outweigh the costs of providing free childcare.
2. The Issue/Problem This Motion Seeks to Address / 3. This Conference Believes:
• Ensuring access to free childcare is essential for promoting gender equality, supporting families, and boosting the economy.
• A coordinated approach between state and federal governments is necessary to implement a comprehensive free childcare system.
• Free childcare would enable more parents, especially women, to participate fully in the workforce, thus contributing to economic growth and reducing gender disparities.
• High-quality early childhood education is a fundamental right for all children and should be accessible without financial barriers.
4. This Conference Resolves:
• To advocate for the implementation of a completely free childcare system across Australia, ensuring that every family has access to high-quality early childhood education and care.
• To work with federal counterparts to develop and fund a nationwide free childcare program, leveraging both state and federal resources.
• To establish clear guidelines and standards for the provision of free childcare to ensure consistency, quality, and accessibility across all jurisdictions.
• To conduct a comprehensive review of current childcare funding mechanisms and reallocate resources to support the implementation of free childcare.
• To engage with stakeholders, including childcare providers, educators, parents, and advocacy groups, to build a broad coalition of support for free childcare.
5. This Conference Mandates:
• The ACT Government to coordinate with federal and state Labor counterparts to develop a unified strategy for implementing free childcare, including funding models and legislative frameworks.
• The establishment of a task force to oversee the transition to free childcare, ensuring a smooth and effective rollout across all regions.
• Regular reporting to the party and other stakeholders on the progress of the free childcare initiative, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Engagement with public sector unions, childcare providers, and community organizations to gather input and support for the free childcare policy.
• The organization of educational workshops and seminars to raise awareness about the benefits of free childcare and to provide information on the implementation process.
• The development of a public campaign to advocate for free childcare, highlighting its economic, social, and developmental benefits for families and society.