Events

Live Q&A — Partnering for success: Local government and the early years sector

Posted April 30, 2025

Author(s):

Liz Webster

Sectors:

Education

Types:

Local government

Date: Wednesday 28 May 2025
Time: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Location: Zoom Webinar

Interested in the event but unable to attend? We encourage you to register, and we will share the recording with you afterwards.

Local governments play a key role in the early years’ ecosystem, responding to the needs of their communities and families. But with the sector undergoing significant shifts, what role should they play?

Local government involvement varies widely due to historical responsibilities, funding differences, and policy priorities. Understanding these shifts is essential as early years reforms reshape the landscape.

Join experts from Dandolo, SGS Economics and Planning and the Australian Childcare Alliance as they share insights on how local governments, particularly in Victoria and New South Wales, are adapting.

Hear from:

Stacey Fox, Associate Director at Dandolo, will provide a national perspective, mapping the diverse roles of local government across Australia and examining how Commonwealth policy influences planning and service delivery. The discussion will highlight key reforms in Victoria and New South Wales, as well as their implications for councils.

Liz Webster, Associate at SGS, will explore the opportunities and challenges that local governments face in responding to these changes, with a focus on workforce and infrastructure planning.

Paul Mondo, President of the Australian Childcare Alliance, will share his perspectives on delivering early years services across different states, the impact of recent reforms, his priorities for the next 5–10 years, and his relationships with state and local governments.

Stacey, Liz and Paul will be joined by private providers working in the sector.

Stacey Fox has significant experience in research and policy development, and has worked within and across government, universities and the not-for-profit sector. Stacey is a strategic thinker adept at applying evidence to policy and practice and grappling with complex challenges. She has worked on a range of public policy issues, including early childhood education, integrated service delivery, maternal and child health, system design for prevention and early intervention, family support program design, the development and embedding of outcomes frameworks, and systems change. Stacey leads Dandolo’s early years practice and is a noted expert in early childhood education and care policy.

Liz Webster is an Associate at SGS Economics and Planning. She is trained in qualitative and quantitative research methods, and brings this mix of skillsets to understanding population needs, assessing infrastructure and housing requirements, and formulating policy responses. She leads interdisciplinary project teams of planners, economists, and data and spatial analysts in synthesising highly technical analysis with local insights and strategic objectives. She believes a strong evidence base should underpin policy and investment and sees the great potential that urban datasets, dashboards, and other tools have to better inform decision-making.

Paul Mondo brings over 15 years of experience as an early learning service provider to the role of President. Formerly the Secretary of ACA's Executive Committee and former President of the ACA Victorian Committee, Paul has played a key role in advocating for the interests of members at the Federal and State Government levels. He is dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to high-quality, affordable early learning services in Australia. Paul has a long-established history in early learning and child care, which started through his work in the family business from the age of 13. Since then, Paul has built and managed his own services and currently has one service in Victoria. Throughout his time in the sector, Paul has filled most roles within the daily operations of the service and continues to work day-to-day with children, families, and educators in these services. As a result, Paul has developed a strong understanding of the challenges facing families in accessing affordable early learning services, resulting in the desire to take a leadership role in the advocacy space.

^{This event is being held jointly by SGS Economics and Planning and LGiU Australia.}

^{LGiU Australia is a local government think tank committed to an innovative and sustainable local government sector. As a member-led organisation, its purpose is to share ideas and best practices, encourage innovation and collaboration, and develop research that drives the sector forward. LGiU Australia is a partnership between SGS Economics and Planning and not-for-profit think tank LGiU.}

^{SGS Economics and Planning is an urban and public policy consultancy and certified B Corp. We work so that all Australians can benefit from equitable and sustainable cities and regions. Our evidence-based insights help to understand how places and economies function, assess what projects and programs work, and plan future places and precincts.}

^{PRIVACY POLICY}

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Author(s):

Liz Webster

Sectors: