The 2010 Federal Election took Australia to the polls with strong messages from all major parties on the needs of families - the rising cost of living; childcare standards, affordability and access; and quality public education.

Playgroup Australia's election commentary monitored issues relevant to the needs and interests of families with young children, and presented the case for supporting parents in their role as their child’s first educator through an expanded role for playgroups in a range of government programs.

Election News 

Playgroup Commentary 

While this list of news items is by no means comprehensive, we have tried to post on
election topics which are of interest to the needs of families with young children 

• Labor offers fathers two weeks off
  - Sydney Morning Herald, August 20
• Time to get tough for our children's sake
  - The Age, August 12
• Parents to quit jobs over childcare cost increases to pay for lifting standards
  - news.com.au, August 12
• Welfare payments linked to child health checks
  - The Australian, August 10
• Childcare on the table after birth rate high
  - Sydney Morning Herald, August 8
• Leaders pull out extra cash to woo families
  - Sydney Morning Herald, August 8
• Coalition MPs prepare revolt on paid parental leave plan
  - The Australian, August 6
• NFP Sector Demands Action on Social Policy Reform
  - Pro Bono News, August 5
• Abbott delays start of paid parental leave scheme, eases blow on businesses
  - The Sydney Morning Herald, August 3
• PM promises cash for disabled children
  - ABC News, July 29
• Parental leave claim hits PM as family comes to the fore
  - The Australian, July 28
• Gillard Treads Warily on Womens Weekly - The Australian, July 27
• Stay-home fathers to face pay cut
  - The Daily Telegraph, July 27
• Coalition would put off changes in childcare standards
  - The Sydney Morning Herald, July 27
• Tony Abbott unveils $89 million childcare services plan
  - news.com.au, July 26
• Leaders try to keep it all in the family
  - The Herald Sun, July 19
• "Your Families Guide to Election 2010"
  - Essential Baby
• Federal Election 2010 News and Media Links
  - communityNet

• Australian Greens Response to Playgroup Australia's Election Priorities
  - August 19
• ALP Response to Playgroup Australia's Election Priorities
  - August 16
• Social networks important for children with disabilities and their families
  - August 12
• Consider the Power of Play in Shaping Australia's future
  - July 27
• Playgroup Australia welcomes the introduction of the Paid Parental Leave Scheme
  - July 15