Independent candidate for Cowper, Caz Heise, has condemned the Coalition’s announcement that it would reinstate the childcare activity test, calling it a backward, punitive move that would deny thousands of children access to early learning, especially in regional communities.

“This is the kind of policy that punishes parents for being poor,” Caz said. “In Cowper, where childcare is already hard to access, this would mean even more families miss out. It’s not just unfair. It’s deeply counterproductive.”

Caz said the original removal of the activity test was projected to benefit over 126,000 children nationwide and help thousands of parents, mostly women, get back into work or study.

“To say families should ‘earn’ the right to childcare by already having work misses the point entirely. For many people in this electorate, particularly single parents and casual workers, this test is a catch-22. You can’t get a job if you can’t get childcare. You can’t get childcare without a job. It’s absurd.”

Caz also said Nationals MP Pat Conaghan had serious questions to answer.

“This is his party’s policy and it would hit families in Cowper hardest. If he supports reinstating the activity test, he’s supporting a policy that keeps families trapped, and children out of early learning.”

“If this is what they’re willing to admit to cutting, what other essential services would the LNP cut if elected?”

Caz has committed to removing barriers to access and investing in early childhood education as a priority, especially for rural and regional areas.

“We need to support families from the start. That means more local centres, better pay for educators, and policies that treat childcare as a right, not a reward.”

More details of Caz’s early childhood plan are available here:
www.caz4cowper.com.au/childcare_24022025