Labor recently launched its national campaign calling on the Turnbull Government to properly fund our preschools in the Budget and end the uncertainty for families.

The Turnbull Government’s lack of support for preschools means families and staff in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and the Karana Downs region can’t plan for the future.

With funding due to expire at the end of next year, almost 2500 children in Blair are left in limbo.

Around 350,000 children across Australia access preschool each year and rely on this funding.

There is no funding in the 2018-19 Budget for universal access to preschool and no further provisions for preschools.

Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann MP, said Labor launched the campaign, including a petition, calling on the Turnbull Government to stop the uncertainty and commit long term funding for universal access to preschool.

“Since Labor signed the first agreement in 2008, preschool enrolment has increased from 77 per cent to almost 93 per cent,” Mr Neumann said.

“There is no doubt that providing four year olds with access to preschool gives our children the best head start to school and life.

“The government know this and yet won’t commit to long-term funding despite being in office since 2013. They would rather give an $80 billion handout to big business and the banks.

“This is not good enough for the future of our children. The Turnbull Government needs to commit to long term funding certainty for our preschools, our early childhood teachers, and our children.”