The Federal Election is campaign is in full swing, we previously shared the major parties early childhood education and care policies, now it is time to look at the policies and commitments of the other parties and independent candidates (including those running for Senate). We have provided a brief note on their commitments, but you can have a further look at their full policies through the provided links.
Independent Candidate Commitments
Climate 200 Independents
Electorate |
Candidate |
ECEC Policy? |
ECEC Commitments |
| Wentworth | Allegra Spender | Yes | Build a stronger, inclusive workforce through greater access to childcare and improved educational equality |
| Goldstein | Zoe Daniel | Yes | Make quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) accessible and affordable delivered by a well-supported and properly funded workforce |
| Kooyong | Monique Ryan | Yes | Affordable childcare and expanded access to early childhood education |
| North Sydney | Kylea Tink | Yes | Greater support for families, with equal rights for parents to access paid parental leave and universal access to early childhood education |
| Mackellar | Sophie Scamps | Yes | Helping parents get back into the workforce by establishing universal and affordable childcare |
| Curtin | Kate Chaney | Yes | Drive workforce participation by supporting working families through more accessible quality childcare |
| Warringah | Zali Steggall | Yes | Increase accessibility and affordability of childcare and improve the generosity of paid parental leave. |
| Indi | Helen Haines | Yes | Increase access to high-quality early childhood education and care in the regions |
| Clark | Andrew Wilkie | Yes | Free universal early childhood education is important for gender equality. |
| Boothby | Jo Dyer | Yes | Provision of affordable and flexible childcare to maximise female participation in the workforce (and) supporting pay increases for female dominated industries. |
| Hughes | Georgia Steele | Yes | Universal access to high-quality Early childhood education and care (which) requires a well supported and properly funded workforce. |
| Page | Hanabeth Luke | Yes | Make childcare more accessible and legislate for fair parental leave to support our working families |
| Wannon | Alex Dyson | Yes | Improve funding and access to childcare services in rural and regional areas, and support working women to remain in the workforce by expanding paid parental leave. |
| Mayo | Rebekha Sharkie | Some | Committed to delivering improved educational outcomes for Mayo. |
| Bradfield | Nicolette Boele | Some | Move to support better and more affordable access to childcare |
| Calare | Kate Hook | Some | We are all better off when 50% of the population are participating strongly in the workforce. |
| Cowper | Caz Heise | Some | Close the gender pay gap. |
| Casey | Claire Ferres Miles | Some | When affordable, accessible childcare, education and support services are available female workforce participation rises. |
| Flinders | Despi O’Connor | Some | Valuing our care economy. |
Other Prominent Independents
Electorate |
Candidate |
ECEC Policy? |
ECEC Commitment |
| Hume | Penny Ackery* | Yes | Supporting young families with better access to childcare |
| Flinders | Sarah Russell* | Yes | Redesign our childcare system to make it fit for purpose. |
| Monash | Deb Leonard* | Yes | Better childcare subsidies to ensure all parents, particularly women, are not disincentivised to return to work (and) equitable parental leave. |
| Nicholls | Rob Priestley# | Yes | Access to childcare is critical to young families to have early learning and socialisation, and to enable parents to return to the workforce when it is their wish to do so. I want to see more investment in the childcare system to enable improved wages for childcare workers while maintain an affordable service for parents. |
| Hinkler | Jack Dempsey# | Yes | Simplify and increase the Child Care Subsidy; Provide more resources to support children at risk; Increase wages for staff and provide more training in regional areas. |
| Mallee | Sophie Baldwin# | Yes | Childcare is an investment in the future of our communities. The current subsides are making childcare unaffordable. |
| Groom | Suzie Holt* | No | |
| Farrer | Amanda Duncan Strelec# | No | |
| Grey | Liz Habermann# | No | |
| Fowler | Dai Le# | Some | We need to have affordable childcare and more of them, to help mums and dads so they can go to work with ease of minds. |
| Parramatta | Steve Christou# | Some | More childcare places and affordability will ensure Mums, children and families succeed. |
*’Voices of’ movement; #Local government or community leader
Senate Candidates
Independent Senate Candidates
State |
Candidate |
ECEC Policy? |
ECEC Commitment |
| ACT Senate | David Pocock | Yes | I will support policies that make childcare more affordable and accessible as a practical way to not only improve early learning outcomes but increase workforce participation |
| ACT Senate | Kim Rubenstein | Some | Supporting women will improve the lives of all Australians. |
| NSW Senate | Jane Caro | Yes | Reason supports free childcare and free early childhood education |
| SA Senate | Nick Xenophon | Some | Before our children start school, they need every opportunity to thrive. That’s why I am inspired by the Minderoo Foundation’s ‘Thrive By Five’ program to give every child the chance to thrive and achieve their full potential. |
| SA Senate | Rex Patrick | No | |
| TAS Senate | Leanne Minshul | No | |
| TAS Senate | Tammy Tyrrell (Jacqui Lambie Network) | Some | Expand the childcare reforms to the children who need them most so they can access early childhood and care. |
Other parties competing for Senate seats
A check of the following party’s websites revealed that the following parties have a policy on early learning or childcare:
– Shooting Farmers & Fishers Party
The following parties do not have a policy on early learning or childcare:
– Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
– Liberal Democrats
– Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party
– Animal Justice Party
– Katter’s Australian Party
– Australian Christians Party
If you believe every family should be able to access early learning and care that is high quality, universally accessible and affordable, Join our Smart Start campaign community and support our campaign partners Thrive by Five by signing their petition and getting involved!