ACA welcomes new Education Minister and thanks the Australian Government for its support in 2020

The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) congratulates the Hon Alan Tudge on his new role as Minister for Education and Youth.

ACA also praised the outgoing Education Minister, the Hon Dan Tehan’s commitment to the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector, especially in protecting families and educators against the worst economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re tremendously grateful to the Australian Government and Minister Tehan, for his ongoing engagement and amazing support for the early learning sector during this terrible global health crisis.” ACA President Paul Mondo said.

“This year has been an incredible challenge for our 360,000 families and more than 2,500 providers who care for them,” Mr Mondo said. “We greatly appreciated Minister Tehan’s collaboration and leadership in addressing the needs of our sector, in one of the most difficult years ever imaginable.”

At a time when more than 30% of ACA members faced imminent collapse; the Australian Government’s emergency $1.6 billion Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package and the Transition Payments, effectively secured the ongoing survival of the early learning sector.

This immediate injection of financial support also ensured that essential and emergency workers with young children, could remain on the frontline during the pandemic.

“We look forward to working closely with Minister Tudge to continue our collective efforts in protecting our families, educators and providers against this shocking virus, which sadly seems to be flaring once again in NSW,” Mr Mondo said.

“Despite the trauma, this pandemic has certainly pulled the curtain back on just how vital, safe and sustainable our ECEC services are to the Australian economy and what a safe and calm haven we are for working parents.

Working with Minister Tudge, and the Australian Government, we have no doubt that all of Australia’s young children, and in particular our most vulnerable and disadvantaged, can continue to access affordable and high quality early learning and ensure every child has the best start in life.”