Assistant Minister for Education Sussan Ley has met with local child care providers at a roundtable hosted by local federal MP Bruce Billson as the Government takes a closer look at the sector which saw fees increase 53 per cent under the previous Labor Government.

Mr Billson and Ms Ley have encouraged the community to have their say on how child care can be made more affordable, flexible and accessible.

“The Productivity Commission is now undertaking public consultation following last month’s release of its draft report into Child Care and Early Childhood Learning,” Mr Billson said.

“I want as many local families, childcare operators and educators as possible to make a contribution before the consultation period closes next month.

“This is a complex issue with no easy solutions, which is why we tasked the Productivity Commission with the first major review of Australia’s entire child care system since the 1990s.”

Ms Ley this said was one of our first priorities when we were elected as part of our commitment to make child care more affordable, flexible and accessible for working families.

“It’s also vital we have child care which works just as well for families in the major cities as it does in regional and remote Australia,” Ms Ley said.

“These are draft recommendations from the Productivity Commission and right now is the community’s chance to have a say on delivering real child care reform for families in Dunkley.

“The Productivity Commission received more than 1160 submissions prior to the draft report, including more than 460 formal submissions and 700 brief online comments.”

To comment directly, either online or through one of several public hearings, you can find all the details via the Productivity Commission’s official web page:-www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/childcare

The public consultation period closes on 5 September 2014 with the Productivity Commission expected to provide their final report to the Government by the end of October 2014.