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One of the measures brought in to help the economy through the COVID-19 pandemic is ending, as the Morrison government comes under pressure to reveal what will happen to two other schemes – JobSeeker and JobKeeper.
From Monday, parents will have to pay for child care again. Payments were suspended in April when the government introduced a $1.6 billion plan to help the sector and its workers survive through the crisis.
Education Minister Dan Tehan says free child care had seen providers unable to keep up with demand for placements.
“Obviously as the economy continues to open up, we’ve seen demand for places increase and that’s why we’ve moved back to our old system, but with transition arrangements in place,” Tehan told ABC TV on July 13.
He said struggling parents should look to access financial support. Different arrangements have been made for Melbourne which is in lockdown.
The package was introduced after enrolment numbers plummeted as parents pulled children out of care, because they couldn’t afford fees or were worried about health impacts.
The opposition says it’s too early for it to end.
“Many parents are doing it tough and will need to decide if they pay the childcare fees or pull their kids out of care altogether,” Labor’s early childhood education spokeswoman Amanda Rishworth told reporters on Sunday.
Treasury conducted a review of the JobKeeper wage subsidy and the enhanced JobSeeker dole payment which was handed to the government in late June.
However, the findings won’t be revealed by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg until July 23 when he hands down an economic statement.
Canberra
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