Election 2016: Child care a big issue in New South Wales, Queensland marginal seats
An ABC analysis of Education Department figures shows the cost of child care is a big factor in the most marginal seats across the country.
The electorate of Petrie is held by the Coalition’s Luke Howarth with a margin of 0.5 per cent.
A breakdown of Education Department figures shows the seat has 6,080 families receiving the childcare rebate.
In the nearby marginal seats of Bonner, Brisbane, Forde and Griffith, there are another 30,050.
Further north there are 17,830 in Leichardt, Capricornia and Herbert.
In New South Wales, western Sydney electorates feature prominently.
There are 26,510 families receiving the childcare rebate in Banks, Macarthur, Parramatta and Lindsay.
Key points:
- Thousands of families in marginal seats receive childcare rebate
- Rebate is capped at $7,500 per child, per year
- Families say cap needs to be addressed
- Government overhaul of sector has been delayed until 2018
- Figures from last year show thousands of families receiving the childcare rebate in the most closely fought electorates in New South Wales and Queensland
Read more: ABC News