Tasmanian Labor leader Dean Winter has promised to expand childcare services across the state if elected, with a focus on integrating centres into public schools and targeting regional areas with critical shortages.
The plan, announced alongside the Prime Minister today, would require childcare facilities in all new public schools and major redevelopments, while making existing school spaces available to childcare providers.
“After 11 years of the Liberals, Tasmania doesn’t have enough childcare centres to meet demand,” Winter said.
“Many parents are forced into making tough decisions about how much they can work, making it harder to keep up with the bills.”
The initiative will begin on Tasmania’s West Coast, where Winter says no childcare is currently available, with $500,000 allocated over the next two years before expanding to other underserved regions.
Under the proposal, Labor would establish centres in high-need areas before transitioning operations to local councils or community organisations.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, visiting Tasmania alongside Winter, said the program aligns with federal Labor’s childcare policies.
“We share a vision for this state and, indeed, for the nation that every single Australian, particularly the little ones here, deserve the best start in life,” Albanese said.
“Since coming into government in 2022, there are some 1,200 more childcare services around Australia, 95,000 more children in early learning, and importantly, 48,000 more educators in the workforce,” he said.
Albanese pointed to cost savings already being delivered, claiming “a family earning $168,000 with one child in care for 30 hours a week” has seen out-of-pocket costs reduced by approximately $7,440.
