Media Release 2 April 2020
The Minister for Agriculture Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud has welcomed the Federal Government’s Early Childhood Education and Care Relief package announced today.
Minister Littleproud said we want to keep as many of the sectors 13,000 child care and early learning services as possible to stay open, especially those in regional Australia.
“This is so their businesses survive, their workers have jobs and parents have the peace of mind that they too can go to work knowing their children are safe,” Minister Littleproud said.
“This has been an uncertain time for the sector with enrolment and attendance heading south with the COVID-19 crisis.
“The relief package will mean the child care sector can offer their services for free when used in conjunction with the JobKeeper payment.
“For those on the frontline in country towns, they now have the comfort in knowing that their children will be cared for when they go to work.
“It’s important that nurses, ambos and police can continue to keep their community safe and well.
“We need to support as many jobs as possible in rural and regional Australia so their economies keep going.
“This relief package part of the Government’s strategy to save lives and livelihoods and is another section of the bridge that will take us to the other side of this crisis.
Child care services seeking health and situation information about COVID-19 should contact the 24/7 National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. Information is also available from: https://www.dese.gov.au/news/coronavirus-covid-19
