Labor will help cover the dentist bills of three million pensioners as it kicks off the final stretch of the election campaign.
Labor will help cover the dental bills of three million pensioners as it kicks off the final stretch of the election campaign by targeting families and older voters.
In twin announcements on Sunday, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten pledged $2.4 billion for a new pensioner dental plan that will cover $1000 worth of dental care every two years, as well as a $4 billion increase to childcare subsidies. Mr Shorten also revealed plans to raise the wages of early childhood educators by 20 per cent over the next eight years in a dramatic intervention into the sector.The Labor leader said the average total wages of early childhood educators would grow by about $11,300 over the eight-year period.This will be on top of any wage increases made by the Fair Work Commission or any other increases made by employers. Mr Shorten said the pay increase would cost $537 million for the first four years.
"It speaks volumes for what we value as a nation, for the priority that we place on the betterment of our children and the respect we display to the people who teach them," Mr Shorten said.Labor tried to increase childcare worker pay at the end of the Gillard government in 2013, but the $300 million policy was wound back by former prime minister Tony Abbott. The Coalition described it as a "sham" and redirected the funds into staff training.
Under Labor's broader childcare package, families will also have their subsidies increased. Those on household incomes up to $174,000 will be about $1200 a year better off per year, per child, while those families earning up to $69,000 will save up to $2100 per year, per child.
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