This is wrong, and to the extent the Howard Government follows this path, it will find itself in a dead-end. Making work possible Parents, particularly single parents, know that better incentives go only part of the way. Making childcare more affordable is also an essential part of addressing employment barriers. While there has been a slight increase in assistance since July it has only partially offset the damage over the past few years. Labor's focus will be on providing affordable, accessible, quality child care that helps families earn and keep extra income while reassuring them that their children are well cared for.
Child care is as much about early childhood development as it is about welfare to work.
OECD studies show that birth rates are highest where female workforce participation is highest. The OECD sensibly observes that such correlations do not prove that increasing female labour force participation rates will inevitably increase fertility rates. In too many families today, our children are not getting the start they deserve because when Governments shift the tax burden to those on lower incomes, remove labour market protection, and withdraw access to social security and social services, the welfare of families is directly harmed. At the core of Labor's initiatives to strengthen family and community life in this country is a determination to make resources available to families when children are first born. It is about making families stronger by giving them more time together and providing them with the support they need.