with Susan Templeman MP

I remember well how hard it was juggling my own business and having two young kids , with the complications of preschool and , later , before and after school care . It ’ s particularly challenging if you commute to the city , as I did , or work odd shifts , as my husband did .

Now it ’ s my daughter ’ s friends who talk to me about weighing up

the costs of childcare compared to what they would earn for an extra couple of days ’ work .

Hawkesbury parents of young children are telling me the primary carer – usually , but not always , mum – is being pushed into working only two or three days a week , because after that it ’ s just not worth it financially .

It doesn ’ t make sense for families , and with so many people unable to work as much as they ’ d

like to , it doesn ’ t make sense for the economy .

With skills shortages , I reckon we need every parent who wants to work , having the ability to do it .

Plus , I want parents to be able to make choices about early education based on what ’ s best for their child , their family and their careers – not just on how it ’ s going to hit their hip pocket .

So that ’ s why I am really pleased an Albanese Government

would make childcare cheaper for 86 per cent of families .

Under Scott Morrison , childcare is too expensive . Only Labor has a plan to bring down the cost of childcare and keep it down .

If you ’ d like to get more information about our plans , just scan the QR code .

And let me know your views , please call my office on ( 02 ) 4573 8222 or email susan . templeman . mp @ aph . gov . au .

with Robyn Preston MP

If you are a small business owner , I encourage you to check whether you are eligible for a NSW Government support payment of up to $ 5000 through the Small Business Support Program . The purpose of this initiative is to provide cash flow assistance to help local businesses get through the current COVID-19 outbreak and keep workers employed .

The program will provide targeted support to businesses with an annual turnover of between $ 75,000 and $ 50 million that experienced a decline in turnover of at least 40 per cent in January

2022 and the start of February 2022 .

The payment for employing businesses will cover up to 20 per cent of weekly payroll , up to a maximum of $ 5000 per week . Eligible non-employing businesses , such as sole traders , will receive $ 500 per week .

The Service NSW Business Concierge team and grant assessors are ready to assist with applications . You can apply online through the Service NSW MyAccount , by visiting a Service NSW centre or by calling Service NSW on 13 77 88 . For more information on the support program , visit www . service . nsw . gov . au / transaction / 2022- small-business-support-program .

Parents NSW and Stay NSW voucher programs Eligible accommodation providers in Hawkesbury can now register to take part in two of the NSW Government ’ s new voucher programs – Parents NSW and Stay NSW . Eligible customers can redeem their $ 250 worth of Parents NSW vouchers and $ 50 Stay NSW voucher with registered Stay NSW businesses .

This is a huge win for the accommodation and tourism sectors which have been especially hard hit by the pandemic . If you want to find out more as a business or customer please visit , www . service . nsw . gov . au / stay-nsw , www . service .

nsw . gov . au / parents-nsw-vouchers , call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit a Service NSW centre .

Before and After School Care vouchers If you are a parent or carer of a child enrolled in primary school and use Before and After School Care ( BASC ) services , you may be eligible for a $ 500 voucher designed to contribute to the parent gap fee component of the session fees . These vouchers will help ease the financial burden for families and will also benefit providers . To find out more information and register please visit the Service NSW website , centre or call them .