Sharman Stone (Murray, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Assistant Minister for Education—doing a fabulous job. Will the minister update the House on this government's actions to make child care more affordable, accessible and reliable? In addition, how does this approach differ to previous approaches?

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I thank the member for Murray for her question. She was a previous spokesperson in this policy area. I also commend her for her work in the area of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder and her advocacy, which is terrific.

The Productivity Commission inquiry reported just after parliament rose a few weeks ago, and I would like to update the House. There were 1,300 submissions made and a great body of work is heading toward that final report in October and we will have an opportunity to bring new policy proposals before the parliament early next year. I would like to remind those listening that they have until 5 September to make a submission to the PC inquiry and further have their say. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset child care policy for the next generation.

The Labor Party did not appreciate the fact that we were having this review, did not support the review when we announced it as our election policy, but once the draft report came down—

Ms Kate Ellis interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Adelaide will desist!

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

the opposition spokesperson did creep out from the bunker and did say, 'Well, we might be prepared to embrace change.' I thought: 'Here comes a plan. The Labor Party might have a plan for child care.' But, no, they crept back behind the bunker and retreated into opposition for opposition's sake. And, my goodness, they should have a plan, because under Labor child care costs went up between 2007 and 2013 by 53 per cent and out-of-pocket costs for parents went up 40 per cent—a simply unsustainable situation. All Labor did was all Labor ever does: spend, spend, spend; more money, more bandaids, more attempts to fix the situation and no understanding about the real thing.

Ms Kate Ellis interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Adelaide will either desist or she will leave! The choice is hers.

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We inherited Labor's child care mess—

Ms Kate Ellis interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Adelaide will remove herself under 94(a)!

The member for Adelaide then left the chamber.

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We inherited Labor's child care mess just like we inherited all of their other messes. We do have a plan to fix it. I really want to emphasise that this Productivity Commission inquiry is going to do just that. We know that, for parents who cannot find child care at a price they can afford, in a location they need suited to their work, in the flexible hours that their job demands, this government has a plan. When I consider the Labor approach, what a lazy, wasteful, ignorant lot they were. We should all appreciate this Productivity Commission process and look forward to new policy approaches in the New Year.