Ms Swanson hosted the Labor leader on a tour of Kurri Kurri and District Preschool-Kindergarten, where they promoted the party's plan for childcare.

"Labor's child care plan will ensure immediate relief to families through our Cheap Child Care for Working Families, which will leave 97 per cent of families using childcare better off," Ms Swanson said.

Mr Albanese said Labor will task the Productivity Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the sector, with the aim to implement a universal 90 per cent subsidy for all families.

"There are a chorus of calls from experts across the country to invest in our early education and care system," he said.

"Labor, families, business leaders, economists and the sector know affordable, high quality child care is vital to ensure children receive an early education, parents can work when they want, and educators are employed.

"The Morrison Government are the only ones who don't get it."

Mr Albanese's visit to the Paterson electorate also included a stop at the Tomago Aluminium smelter to reinforce his party's "working class" credentials, after exiled Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon said the party was losing touch with its base.

Mr Albanese declined to be drawn on the details of Mr Fitzgibbon's exit from the front bench, and said he welcomed him staying in parliament "for as long as he wants to".

Read more: Albanese ducks and weaves on Fitzgibbon, talks up gas-fired electricity