Less than three weeks out from the federal government’s new childcare benefit scheme coming into effect, almost 50 per cent of families have not yet registered for the new system.
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said this could potentially leave these families with no child care subsidy, come July 2 when the new system takes effect.
“This is deeply concerning for local families who are currently receiving a reduction in fees under the existing system, but may find themselves out of pocket when July 2 rolls around,” Ms Templeman said.
Ms Templeman said she was appalled that the government’s response had been to blame childcare providers and families for not registering for the new scheme.
“That’s a bit rich, considering many families would assume the new system will just tick over and use their existing details,” she said. “It’s been very poorly communicated.
“I’ve also heard that families who have looked into the new system are finding it difficult to understand the impact these changes will have for them.”
Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham has stated families who have made the switch already “are, on average, around $1300 per child, per annum, better off under these reforms”.
“We make no apologies for structuring these reforms to give the greatest support to families working the longest hours ... and ... the greatest levels of financial subsidy to families earning the least amount,” he told the ABC.
But Ms Templeman said despite government claims that the new scheme will benefit those on lower incomes; many families would be worse off.
“How is that fair? The government’s own figures show that around 1300 families in Macquarie will be worse off, with the majority of those on the two lowest income brackets.
“These families are part of the 279,000 families around Australia who will be worse off under the new package. And this is on top of the 18 per cent growth in fees (to March 2017) since the election of the Liberal Government – which means families are on average paying over $2000 more a year.”
Ms Templeman said families had already contacted her office, concerned they’d be financially disadvantaged under the scheme.