Gippsland families seeking more affordable childcare are being held to ransom by an uncooperative opposition, which has delayed the implementation of the Federal Government’s child care reforms until the middle of next year. The Coalition has introduced legislation to make the Australian child care system more affordable, flexible and accessible for families, while implementing the necessary budget savings to fund the reforms. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Coalition was committed to its child care reforms. “Labor’s failure to support the necessary savings in time for the reforms to be effectively implemented has forced us to defer the start date for 12 months to July 2018,” Mr Chester said. The Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017 included the most significant reform to the early education and care system in 40 years. The bill also included more than $5.5 billion in savings to ensure the child care reforms were fully paid for and the budget was sustainable into the future. “Our reforms will give around one million Australian families relief from out-of-pocket child care cost pressures and give more children the opportunity to benefit from early education,” Mr Chester said. “The package of measures includes removing Labor’s cap of $7500 on the Child Care Rebate. “Our additional child care investment will target those who work the most and earn the least.” Mr Chester said work was progressing on elements of the package that did not require changes to legislation, including: • the new $543 million Inclusion Support Program for children with additional need, which began in July 2016; and • $20 million provided over two years from July 1, 2016 to integrate child care, maternal and child health, and family support services in a number of Indigenous communities experiencing disadvantage.