Despite Prime Minister Tony Abbott's commitment to jobs and families during the Cabinet reshuffle announcement last week, the Coalition government announced an expected 29-percent increase in childcare costs on Sunday. The raise also reportedly contradicts a statement made by newly appointed Health and Sports Minister, Sussan Ley, on Christmas Eve.
Speaking with the Australian Financial Review, Ms Ley said that, while she was unable to disclose findings from the Productivity Commission's childcare review, she could assure greater affordability for Australian parents. Ms Ley told the reporter:
"I know that when [Social Services Minister] Scott Morrison announces this [childcare] policy some time in the first half of 2015 it will deliver on what we promised to do, which was to stop the upward pressure on prices".
Mr Morrison was the recipient of high praise from the PM when he was announced as the new minister for Social Services, and the public was informed that Mr Morrison's first priority is the delivery of a package for families that will include enhanced childcare and a "fair dinkum" paid parental leave scheme.
However, Sunday's announcement appears to be in conflict with the government's earlier sentiment, as 9 News revealed that, under the Coalition's proposal, "Parents paying $100 a day for childcare could see their fees jump to $129, while those forking out $80 a day would be forced to pay $100."
Early Childhood Education, Childcare and Youth spokeswoman for the Opposition, Kate Ellis, addressed the change of direction head-on, stating that "what we're seeing is an explosion in unexpected costs and fee increases to a level that nobody anticipated."
A representative of Mr Morrison's office countered Ms Ellis' statement by pointing out that the price hike will mirror those enacted by the former Labor government. He further explained that the higher costs are "a function of many things" and, in relation to the Coalition's family policies, that "It is important that we get this right."
Meanwhile, Saturday's poll results show that nationwide support for the Abbott government has suffered a major drop since the start of 2014.