With families desperate for support in the cost-of-living crisis, Labor's childcare plan will increase access to local and affordable childcare so parents can get to work and pay the bills.
As part of this plan, Labor will amend the Launceston General Hospital Masterplan to include a new, additional childcare service - because we know access to childcare is a major issue for Tasmania's nurses and other health workers.
Labor will make more affordable childcare available across the state - with potential 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.
Labor's policy will create an additional 4,500 places in childcare, assisting more than 3,500 Tasmanian families.
After 10 years of Liberal Government, Tasmanian families have the worst access to early education and care in the country, leaving many unable to work or earn as much as they would like to.
The cost of living is Labor's top priority, and helping more families juggle work and kids will make a real difference.
Providing more access to high-quality, affordable early education and care will be good for kids and good for family budgets - and today's announcement will help us keep more key workers in Tasmania, too.
Tasmanian Labor is serious about tackling the cost of living - the Liberals have had 10 years in government and if they haven't made a difference by now they never will.
It's time for a better future, where Tasmanian families can access the childcare they need so they can get to work and pay the bills.
Rebecca White MP
Tasmanian Labor Leader
