Indigenous children to be big losers in childcare package: report
Indigenous children will be big losers in the Turnbull government’s new childcare package, according to research by Deloitte Access Economics.
The analysis, commissioned by the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait children, finds more than 50 per cent of families currently accessing a government program mainly used for Indigenous childcare would face higher costs under the new plan.
It also finds the new package is likely to “significantly reduce access” to early learning for Indigenous children and threaten the viability of remote services.
The findings are disputed by Education Minister Simon Birmingham, who says Indigenous children will be better supported under the reforms and that the report “only looks at one element of a comprehensive package”.
By Judith Ireland
Read more: Sydney Morning Herald