Five day kinder to ease childcare costs and boost workforce participation

After 13 years of the Liberals, Tasmanians are paying for their waste through fewer jobs and fewer opportunities.

The latest jobs data from the ABS shows Tasmania still has the lowest workforce participation rate in the nation and the highest underemployment. We are the only jurisdiction that lost jobs, and we have the second highest unemployment rate in the country.

One of the biggest pressures families face right now is the cost of childcare.

Labor’s plan will ease that pressure by covering out-of-pocket costs for early learning and expanding access across the state.

Five days of kinder in every public school will reduce the need for additional childcare, putting money back in parents’ pockets.

Universal access to pre-school for three-year-olds will give families more affordable options and free up places in long day care for other children. Critically, it will also help more parents return to work or increase their hours.

That’s how you lift participation, support families with cost-of-living pressures, and grow Tasmania’s economy.

Labor’s plan is good for kids. Good for families. Good for Tasmania.