THE Country Women’s Association of New South Wales has thrown its political support behind a call for universal access to early learning and care in this Federal Election year.
A CWA media release said the cost of early years childcare was a “significant barrier” to work and social participation for its members – citing data finding it nearly double the issue for rural and regional women than it was for their city counterparts.
The NSW CWA has now joined 68 other regional organisations – including the National Farmers’ Federation, the National Rural Health Alliance and the Australian Education Union – in The Parenthood’s Access for Every Child Rural Coalition.
The country women’s advocacy group said the issue was disproportionately affecting regional, rural and remote mothers – with polling group Essential in late 2024 finding that being unable to work due to lack of childcare is worse (26 per cent) for parents in regional, rural and remote Australia than in the cities (at 14 per cent).
An in-house NSW CWA survey of members last year also found 40 per cent supported further investment in affordable childcare.
“By joining The Parenthood’s Access for Every Child Rural Coalition, we are standing alongside other key rural organisations to call for a universal early learning and care system that will support the health, wellbeing, and economic prosperity of rural families,” CWA NSW executive officer Danica Leys said.
“It’s time for the Federal Government to step up and make early childhood education and care accessible for every child, no matter where they live.”
The Parenthood Coalition launched in May, and in December the Federal Government committed $1 billion into building and expanding new centres in areas with high need if re-elected at the upcoming Election.
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley, who is Opposition spokesperson for women, said on Tuesday the Coalition would announce its policy ahead of the Election.
“In government the Coalition previously locked in ongoing funding for preschools and kindergartens, and increased access for more than 280,000 children,” she said.
“Labor’s announcement might look good on paper, but they are already spending up to $15 billion a year on early childhood education, yet in regional areas like ours wait lists are getting longer, out of pocket costs are rising and we have workforce shortages.”
Parenthood Coalition convenor Maddy Butler said that having the NSW CWA support its call spoke to the particular need in country Australia.
“As leaders for social progress for women in regional, rural and remote Australia, we’re very excited to have the CWA of NSW’s insight and influence behind our cause,” she said.
“Early learning and care is far less available outside of the cities, leaving many mothers unable to work and therefore many families forced to get by on a single income, exacerbating already high financial pressures … we hope to see commitments from all parties which address Australia’s regional, rural and remote early learning shortage.”
Meanwhile, the CWA NSW executive officer said almost one in four Australians lived in a “childcare desert”, where three or more children compete for one childcare place.
“Our members regularly tell us that finding care and learning opportunities for their young children is extremely difficult, so we know the extent of this crisis,” she said.
“Many women are forced to stay out of the workforce simply because there is no access to childcare.
“It’s one of the most significant barriers to social and economic participation and empowerment for women in rural, regional, and remote areas.
“This is not just a personal issue; it’s an economic one that affects families, communities, and the future of regional Australia.”
