Greens say childcare executive bonuses are further proof the for-profit system is failing our children
Greens say childcare executive bonuses are further proof the for-profit system is failing our children | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Greens say childcare executive bonuses are further proof the for-profit system is failing our children 2025-09-25 Revelations that executives at major for-profit childcare companies, including G8 and Affinity, pocketed bonuses worth hundreds of thousands of dollars despite repeated safety and quality breaches are yet more evidence that the for-profit model is failing families.
Bosses at Australia’s largest for-profit providers received pay rises and bonuses of up to $500,000 last year even as centres under their watch were cited for multiple safety breaches. The Greens have consistently called out the failings of the for-profit childcare system. Currently, only 13% of private providers are rated as “exceeding quality standards”, compared to almost a third of public and not-for-profit centres.
The Greens have secured a Senate Inquiry into the safety and quality of early learning which is examining how the system, including the flawed childcare subsidy, props up private cowboy operators and undermines safe, high-quality care. Lines attributable to Australian Greens spokesperson for early childhood education and care, Senator Steph Hodgins-May: “As a parent of young kids myself, families are right to be outraged that executives are pocketing bonuses for hitting short-term KPIs while private providers charge parents through the roof and still deliver lower standards of care.
“These operators treat children like line items on a balance sheet , chasing enrolments and shareholder returns at the expense of safe, high-quality care. And the evidence shows kids are being put at risk. “Trust in the early learning system is at an all-time low, and these bonuses are further proof the for-profit model prioritises profit over quality care and education.
“Leaving early learning to the market is both flawed and dangerous. That’s why we’ve secured a vital Senate Inquiry into early learning safety and quality, which is now underway. “Ultimately, we need a universal, affordable system that treats early learning as a public good, not a private commodity.
“At the very least, money going into executive bonuses should instead be spent lifting quality and properly paying educators.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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