12th Feb 2019, 5:59 PM – Senate Motions - In Home Care Program - Emergency relief required

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by NSW Senator Mehreen Faruqi (Greens), which means it succeeded. Motions like these don't change the law on their own but are politically influential because they represent the will of the Senate.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) changes to the In Home Childcare Program, including to the hourly rate cap, have had the unintended consequence of leaving hundreds of families with complex childcare needs without affordable childcare which affects their ability to work, attend medical appointments and respite,

(ii) this group includes parents and carers with significant medical problems, including terminal illness and mental health issues, as well as children with developmental delays and severe disabilities, and

(iii) although some of these families have transitioned to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, many have not;

(b) recognises that, although there were problems with the In Home Childcare Program, some families with complex needs are facing a childcare crisis as a result of the changes;

(c) further notes that numerous providers have been forced to close as a result, and a large number of carers have been left without job; and

(d) calls on the Federal Government to provide emergency funding for sufficient childcare subsidies to high-needs families affected by the change and to provide a long-term solution to this issue.