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Scott Morrison Says Childcare Will Be Free Across Australia During Coronavirus Pandemic

Scott Morrison Says Childcare Will Be Free Across Australia During Coronavirus Pandemic

Around one million Australians will benefit from the move.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

The Australian government will help alleviate some of the financial pressures on Aussies during the coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced his government will make childcare free for everyone.

Mr Morrison added: "Childcare and early childhood education is critical, particularly for those Australians who rely on it so they can go to work every day."

The move gives parents who have to work during the pandemic a bit of relief, knowing they won't have to fork out money for childcare during tough times.

Scott Morrison.
PA

Mr Morrison said the measure is aimed at the parents who are still working and rely on childcare services to ensure their child is safe while they're away from the home.

When asked whether this conflicts with the message to keep your children at home to prevent the spread of the virus, the Prime Minister said the advice hasn't changed.

"Absolutely no change," he said. "That has been the clear and consistent advice that the government has received and that I have relayed on these issues, as have the premiers.

"They all have said that. The health advice is clear. Children can go to childcare and children can go to school."

Kate Lundy (Flickr)

The funding will kick in from April 6 and will be based on the number of children at childcare services during the fortnight leading into March 2. Your child does not have to have started childcare to be eligible for this this benefit.

Scott Morrison said his government will provide support for 13,000 childcare facilities across the country to ensure they will be able to stay open during this time.

Around one million Australians will benefit from this move.

Mr Morrison added that these measures are necessary during a global pandemic.

PA

"We are one of the few, if only, countries that have been talking about the coronavirus pandemic as being one that we are going to have to live with for at least the next six months," he told a press conference.

"I have been very clear about that. For a very simple reason - I really want Australians to understand that we need to be in this for that haul."

Mr Morrison, along with Attorney General Christian Porter, also announced that all citizens and residents will get two weeks of additional unpaid leave.

Mr Porter told the press conference: "Flexibility could well make the difference between survival of the business and preservation of the jobs or the failure of the business and the loss of the jobs.

"So these are incredibly important changes."

Featured Image Credit: Kate Lundy (Flickr)

Topics: News, Coronavirus, Australia