Pricey childcare is still a barrier for nation’s parents re-entering workforce

$LEFT HOLDING THE BABY: Australian Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese holds 3- week old Elena in his hands during a visit to Cottage Child Care Centre in Canberra on Friday. \\nPHOTO: (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)$

LEFT HOLDING THE BABY: Australian Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese holds 3- week old Elena in his hands during a visit to Cottage Child Care Centre in Canberra on Friday. PHOTO: (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

RE-ENTRY into the workforce after maternity leave is continuing to be stymied by high childcare costs and a lack of opportunity for women.

Steve Kelly

October 10, 2020 • 01:00

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RE-ENTRY into the workforce after maternity leave is continuing to be stymied by high childcare costs and a lack of opportunity for women.

It's a societal issue that continues to be overlooked by government which Indi MP Helen Haines believes was the case in the latest federal budget.

Helen Haines (MHR, Indi) said there was an opportunity for the government to do something innovative and future focused around childcare to increase the numbers of jobs and opportunity for parents, men and women, to fully engage in the workforce with lower childcare fees.