Emergency workers lose child care in 'unintended consequence' of coronavirus rescue package

Emergency workers across Australia who use government-subsidised nannies have had their care withdrawn and are scrambling for other childcare options, because of the Federal Government's new policy to make child care free. Key points: Paramedic James Marshall took a month off work to care for his children after their family lost a nanny Police officers Patrick and Sarah had their care cancelled within days of the child care rescue package being announced The president of the Australian Home Childcare Association said it was an "unintended consequence" of the coronavirus response Three weeks ago, the Federal Government announced its childcare industry rescue package, which was partly designed to help frontline workers during the coronavirus crisis. Melbourne emergency doctor Claire Wilkin-Marshall received an email from her agency saying their child care had been cancelled, which she said "torpedoed" the lives of her and husband James Marshall, a paramedic with Ambulance Victoria. Australian Home Childcare Association president Nicole Morgan said the "unintended consequence has severely impacted the ability of In Home Care providers to continue to care for many desperate families". Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan did not answer questions directly about the IHC sector but said the new childcare system ensured families could still access child care while also ensuring the viability of services.