Productivity Commission’s early childhood report signals a huge step forward for Australia

The Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) welcomes the Productivity Commission’s Early Childhood Education and Care inquiry final report.

The report is a huge step forward for Australia. If implemented, the recommendations would benefit the children, households and communities BSL works with every day – many of whom experience disadvantage and/or intergenerational poverty.

Importantly, the Productivity Commission recognises the value of early childhood development for all children, whatever their background, and that our investment in children has benefits that multiply across their lifetimes and across generations. This is economic and social reform of the highest order. As a country, we have underestimated those benefits for too long.

Indeed, there is a strong case to be bolder than the Productivity Commission recommends. The strength, generosity, inclusiveness and quality of a universal early childhood system is a necessary condition for growing our national prosperity, for reducing poverty in Australia and for ensuring every child can live the life they aspire to. 

The government must prioritise universal access to an equitable, affordable and inclusive early childhood development system which incorporates all services and supports available to young children and families. It is the combination of these supports, from as soon as a child is born, that will make sure no child is left behind.

We are especially supportive of the Commission’s recommendation to abolish the activity test entirely. Substantial evidence exists regarding the negative impact of the punitive activity test, which often prevents children in low-income families from accessing quality early childhood education and care.

“The Federal Government must heed the Productivity Commission’s call and put a stop to the activity test. What a parent does or earns should never hinder the access their child has to quality education and care in their early years,” said BSL Executive Director Travers McLeod.

Reforms to our early years systems must be transformational, requiring collaboration across governments and across political parties. We welcome the recommendation for an Early Childhood Education and Care Commission to improve coordination and monitor progress towards universal access.

The Federal Government’s comprehensive Early Years Strategy, released earlier this year, indicates a commitment to reform and is an acknowledgement that the current approach is not working. Now is the time to urgently make the necessary changes to deliver a system where the children most in need of early childhood education opportunities are enabled to receive them.

We look forward to reviewing the full report and recommendations and helping with the next phase of reform.

For media enquiries: Steph Jones steph.jones@bsl.org.au or 0482 163 395.