Peter Costello (Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

As I said in the budget speech on Tuesday night, in 1996 there were 300,000 child-care places; in 2009—wait for it—there will be 700,000 child-care places in Australia. That is a more than doubling over the last 10 years. How does the government go about child care? Firstly, with the child-care benefit; secondly, with the child-care rebate which will become payable—30 per cent of out-of-pocket costs up to $4,000 per annum per child—and, thirdly, with no cap at all on places. That means an eligible church, an eligible council or an eligible private operator can set up in any area where there is excess demand and can have a facility which will attract government funding. This is broad ranging, wide term reform which will mean that the opportunities will come to create those child-care places for Australian families.

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