Family and Community Life

Working people are finding it increasingly difficult to balance work with family, care and community responsibilities.

We are in danger of sacrificing our quality of life and becoming a less caring and friendly community.

The Greens are concerned with the happiness and well-being of all Australians, and are committed to introducing laws and policies that support balanced lives.

We believe that accessible, affordable, high-quality childcare is essential for supporting family and community life.

The Greens will:

• Provide a government funded parental leave scheme based on 18 weeks of paid leave and 34 weeks of unpaid leave
• Introduce a right to flexible working hours for caring responsibilities, including a right to return to work part-time after parental leave
• Increase childcare payments to low and middle income families
• Replace the Child Care Tax rebate with a Child Care Benefit Guarantee
• Prioritise funding of community based not-for-profit childcare centres
• Provide incentives for workplaces to offer not-for-profit childcare in-house
• Provide greater support and assistance to family carers.