Senator Matt O’Sullivan
Shadow Minister for Choice in Childcare and Early Learning
Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence
Deputy Manager of Opposition Business
Senator for Western Australia
Media Release
12 August 2026
The Senate has today agreed to a Coalition-led inquiry into whether Australia’s early childhood education and care system is delivering for families in rural, regional and remote communities.
For many Australian families living outside major cities, finding suitable childcare is not a question of affordability and choice, but whether a suitable service exists at all.
The Senate inquiry will examine gaps in childcare and early learning services, workforce shortages, the effectiveness of the Child Care Subsidy, and whether Commonwealth programs are meeting the needs of families living outside Australia’s major cities.
“Families in regional and rural Australia have been treated as an afterthought when it comes to childcare.”
“Whether it is a farming family needing flexible care around seasonal work, a FIFO family, a family relying on family day care, or parents in a remote community where there simply isn’t a centre nearby, the Coalition understands that individual family needs are vastly different.”
The inquiry will also examine the significant workforce challenges facing regional and remote communities, including attracting and retaining qualified staff in areas where housing, transport, and career opportunities can be more limited.
“Australia’s rural, regional and remote families deserve the same opportunity to access quality, reliable, and flexible childcare and early learning services as families in our capital cities.”
“This inquiry will help us to identify what is working, what is failing, and what needs to change.”
“Labor likes to talk about its childcare announcements, but when given the opportunity to support an inquiry into the lived experience of families in rural, regional and remote Australia, it chose not to support the motion and did not call a formal vote.”
The Coalition believes every family deserves quality care, genuine choice and real flexibility. We will continue working toward a childcare ecosystem that supports families, rather than imposing a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach.
The Senate Education and Employment References Committee will report by 29 June 2027.
[ENDS]