VIC: ALP promises subsidy for pre schoolers = 3 (Reopens)

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-1999
VIC: ALP promises subsidy for pre schoolers = 3 (Reopens)

Community Services Minister Denis Napthine said Labor's policy would result in a New South
Wales-style system of "double the fees and double the union interference".

He predicted costs would increase and the current enrolment rate of 93 per cent among
four-year-olds would plummet.

Catholic Social Services associate director Fr Joe Caddy welcomed Labor's move to work more
closely with community agencies, but said he had hoped for more funds, particularly for child
protection.

He said it would be interesting to see the effect the $150 subsidy had on pre-school
enrolments, given that families would still have to bear substantial costs.

Victorian Council of Social Services chief executive Dimity Fifer said Labor had a more
holistic and collaborative approach than the coalition.

But it was hard to assess the impact of some measures, such as the reserving of a minimum
five per cent of public housing for disabled people, on other disadvantaged groups until all
policies were released.

AAP kmh/er/apm

KEYWORD: POLLVIC HEALTH LEAD 3 MELBOURNE

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