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Politicians are ignoring the childcare crisis, says online lobby group

10th July 2011

More action and less talk is required from the political parties to ease the childcare affordability crisis and lack of choices, says an online lobby group http://www.makecarefair.com.au/

"We welcome Tony Abbott's concerns about the rising costs of childcare, but we want to see policy action from the parties too," said Jennifer Dalitz, a mother and one of the drivers behind the site.

"One of the biggest problems families face is the lack of choices outside of family day care, and the lack of support for nurses, shift workers and those who need more than just 9 to 5 pm set up ," she said.

Typical feedback from the http://www.makecarefair.com.au/ site includes a family who has to sell their second car to afford their childcare bill, and women who need in-home care because of a lack of centre places, and just can't afford it.

Since the site launched in March, an influx of families are signing the online petition to urge politicians to review childcare policies, and embrace more options than day care centres.

Some site comments include:

Nurse: " I am a registered nurse. I already have to take one day off a week (Tuesdays) to cut the cost of care. That means I work every weekend. We just sold our second car as we could not pay for fuel and pay for care at the same time. Over 75 percent of my fortnightly pay goes to child care for only 1!!!!! child. We are a defence (NAVY) family so we can't even get our other family members to chip in as we don't live with any. We also chose family day care because we prefer it, but it apparently cheaper. One of our greatest problems is A: finding care before 0700 ( we still cannot get it centre or FDC) and then been charged through the nose for a 0700 start! Australia is desperate (for) nurses but there are a tons (of) desperate nurses who are dropping out like myself because of our diabolical state!  (we) try our best to serve our community but you are making it impossible for us!"

Primary school teacher: "To survive cost of living pressures and pay our mortgage, I have to return to work. We cannot survive on one income. Child care costs are ridiculously overpriced. It will be struggle when we have our second child in the next three months. When I need to return to work after taking leave, the child care costs for two children will be unbearable. My husband and I have degrees as primary teachers, and we struggle week to week. We have not extended ourselves, our house is small. When are politicians going to realise what a struggle it is for young families."

Small business owner: "The cost of childcare is significant yet essential for the majority of families. I need to spend $450 per week to cover care for my son across a 4-day working week. With the cost of living such as it is, most families have no choice but to depend on two incomes. It is time to alleviate both the financial and emotional burden on families where both parents need to work."

More parents are urged to sign the petition on http://www.makecarefair.com.au/  and share it with friends and collegeagues so that politicians can see the level of engagement and respond.

For further information, please contact:

Danielle Robertson, DIAL AN ANGEL , CEO on 02 9362 4225

Jen Dalitz, Sphinxx founder, on 0414 647 382