Premier urges Commonwealth to commit to kindergarten

Media Statement

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called on the Federal Government to stop stalling and commit to funding kindergarten in 2016.
Visiting the Lady Gowrie centre in Spring Hill with Education Minister Kate Jones today, the Premier said the Abbott Government was set to cut the National Partnership Agreement on early childhood next year.
“That is a cut of up to $85 million, affecting 47,000 children in kindergarten in 2016,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We know without a doubt that early education years are crucial to children’s success at school and success in education is vital when it comes to getting a job.
“I’m worried this is all at risk – because the Abbott Government is refusing to renegotiate the National Partnership Agreement and refusing a secure a future for early childhood education.”
In 2008, Labor Governments at a state and federal level committed to ensuring all children could access a quality kindergarten program through the National Partnerships.
Minister Jones said since then, the proportion of Queensland children attending kindergarten has increased markedly - from 29% in 2008, to 95 per cent in 2014.
“Without federal funding, hours will be cut, fees will rise, and working parents will need to make a choice: with Tony Abbott’s cuts hitting my hip-pocket, do I keep working and see most of what I earn go on increased childcare costs or do I stop work altogether?” Ms Jones said.
“I’m calling on Tony Abbott to stop stalling and stop jeopardising the future of Queensland children.”

The Premier said she would be raising the issue at COAG tomorrow, along with Queensland’s almost $18 billion in health and education cuts, protecting Queensland’s share of GST revenue and fighting for early access to NDIS funding.

“Queensland deserves better from Tony Abbott. He needs to start delivering for our state, and he can start tomorrow by reversing his cuts to Queensland’s health and education funding, and rejecting attempts to rob Queensland of GST funding.”