Tasmanian Labor have revealed they plan to open a new childcare centre at the Launceston General Hospital as part of their 2024 Election promises to expand childcare services.
Labor leader Rebecca White said her government would amend the Launceston General Hospital Masterplan to accommodate the facility, with the potential for similar developments at other locations, including school sites, TAFE campuses, government office buildings, hospitals, ferry terminals and park-and-ride facilities.
“In total, a Labor Government will allocate $75 million for capital works across these sites. We will also double the number of grants available in our existing policy to expand before and after school care to 20 locations,” she said.
“Labor’s policy will create an additional 4,500 places in childcare, assisting more than 3,500 Tasmanian families. The cost of living is Labor’s top priority, and helping more families juggle work and kids will make a real difference.”
Liberal Minister for Education, Children and Youth Roger Jaensch criticised the plan and called it a “con” with no funding.
“Labor’s plan is to amend a plan. Amending the LGH masterplan to include a childcare centre won’t deliver a childcare centre,” he said.
“There’s no funding commitment to pay for it. Anyone can add a room to their house plans, but they still have to come up with the money to pay for it.”
