Aboriginal children’s peak welcomes Coalition and Independents’ preschool funding commitments

SNAICC – National Voice for our Children has welcomed the recent announcements from the NSW Coalition and Independents that they will reverse the NSW Government’s preschool funding cuts and call on all parties to match.

The NSW Government’s new Universal Preschool funding program, due to commence in 2027, cuts $150 million in funding for preschool where it is delivered in long day care services.

Acting Director of SNAICC’s Early Years Support Service for NSW, Maurita Moran said the NSW Government’s cut could leave Aboriginal community-controlled early childhood services facing significant funding shortfalls and put pressure on services and parents.

“Cutting $150 million from preschool delivery in long day care risks destabilising the services that hundreds of Aboriginal families across NSW depend on,” Ms Moran said.

“This funding is used to pay staff wages and uplift the quality of early learning for children. Cutting funding is putting Aboriginal community-controlled services under significant financial pressure, and may lead to closures.

“This would be a disastrous outcome for Aboriginal children and families.

“Aboriginal community-controlled early childhood services provide high quality, culturally safe childcare for our children. They help make sure our children get the best possible start in life.

“We welcome the NSW Coalition and NSW Independents’ announcements that they do not support these cuts and will ensure long day care remains a reality for our children. It’s a commitment we call on all parties to match,” Ms Moran said.

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