Labor commits to an additional two years of preschool funding for the Northern Territory

In light of a lack of clarity on the future of the National Partnership Agreement on Early Childhood Education, the Australian Labor Party has committed to fund the Northern Territory preschool program for an additional two years at a cost of $11 million.

In a statement released by the offices of Amanda Rishworth, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Development, Ms Rishworth said “this is the biggest ever investment in early education for children in the Northern Territory”.

The announcement comes in the wake of an October announcement by Labour to extend preschool access to three year olds and commit to funding four year old preschool access.

Ms Rishworth went on to note that “Labor will work in partnerships with the states and territories to deliver this important reform, including in setting enrolment and attendance targets, particularly for vulnerable and indigenous children.”