Don’t be surprised if the government’s childcare package provides a boost for the Turnbull government — and unlike the artificial boost of last week’s Snowy Hydro silliness, this one is fairly earnt. The government has implemented, in broad, the recommendations of the Productivity Commission in the critical area of childcare and early childhood learning, and in doing so will make the childcare subsidy system more effectively targeted and more progressive, while also supporting female workforce participation. And it’s fully funded by savings elsewhere.
For months now, the government has been stuck in vicious circle of infighting, poor policymaking and poor judgment, not least from the Prime Minister himself. The desperate effort to use the gas crisis as both a wedge against Labor and to placate the climate denialist right within the Liberal Party was a new low for a man who once boasted he would refuse to lead a party not as committed to climate action as he was.
But now, on a core issue for working parents across the country who see so much of their income disappear in childcare fees, the government is intervening — and it’s for good economic reasons. No wonder Labor is trying to focus on the demands of a (fairly loose) requirement that parents work, volunteer or study eight hours a fortnight, and the pause in the indexation of family tax benefits instead.
The challenge for the government is to build on the boost from this week’s win — although, problematically, next week is likely to be dominated by the 18C debate. Obsessing about the fetish of a small number of old white people rather than the bread and butter issues of voters is exactly what a government that has just encouraged voters to take a fresh look at it doesn’t need. On the other hand, it might shut down the undermining and sniping from the right for five minutes and give Turnbull some clear air to talk to voters about issues of actual relevance to them once the debate is done and dusted next week.
Don’t agree, it seems like a dud to me, at least from the small amount of detail gleaned. What’s with being able to get a subsidy on $350,000, and even that was forced on to them.
BJ…Bernard has finally joined the cheerleader squad for the RWNJs, and is in danger of being ignored by the rest of us.
Lambie had it right…the poorest in our country are still being disadvantaged so the $25o,ooo/annum lot can be subsidised by the taxpayer.
There is absolutely NO argument that can convince me that this is equality!
Jeez Bernard don’t you get tired of running the Turnbull … ‘If only ….insert excuse” …/ “found his mojo…” / “could turn things around…/”uncover the real Turnbulll…’escape the clutches of the right….” …. things would be terrific line?
Look, face it, the man is a dud, hasn’t shown anything else but dudness for decades getting more obvious and transparent recently.
Give him up, he ain’t worth it.
Yeah Bernard, even if Turnbull does get clear air to talk to voters, what is he going to tell them? Remind them how his government is there to look after the top 15% of Australian wealthholders (and the global super-rich). Even when they make noises about cutting back on entitlement it is the lower middle class and lower who get most of the kicking. They are leading Australia down the same path that saw a desperate rust-belt America elect a Soviet mole (or is that moll?) as POTUS.
Then along comes “Plebiscite by Mail”, to put them back on track…… ya gotta love Homer Dutton, riding to the aid of The Party.
Any wonder he’s being touted as “Emergency PM” from some quarters : and echoed sans question by parts of the media?
I’m confused Bernard. I’ve read elsewhere (ACOSS) that overall the Omnibus bill will leave those earning $80,000 and above $26 a week better off and those earning $60,000 and below around $2000 a year worse off, yet you keep telling me this is a good, fair thing. You’ve also told me cutting FTB was a good, fair thing but not why. I searched the Crikey database and still couldn’t find the answer. I also note hearing somewhere that the childcare reforms were supposed to be self funding, didn’t require cuts somewhere else and the government was told so. I’m confused.
That fillip?
Shorten won’t always have Abbott around – all Turnbull has to do is line up a couple of unlame ducks to show Shorten up for what he is : a handicap to Labor and one of the few things Turnbull has going for him in this ‘heavy going’. An example of why Labor isn’t fit or ready to govern : they elected him as Leader.
….. Not that the Coal-ition is in any better shape, with Talcum-Toady-Homer-Jethro – their own multi-headed Cerberus – maintaining ready access to the underworld that is our governance.
What chance us?