Adam Bandt (Melbourne, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

[by video link] My question is to the Prime Minister. For many parents, child care is expensive, the waiting lists are often long and places aren't available where they need them. Today, parents, business and community groups are calling on the government to act by transforming Australia's system into Swedish-style quality, universal and accessible early childhood education. Prime Minister, will you use the upcoming budget to make child care universal and free?

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question. What we have done in government since we introduced changes to the childcare subsidy two years ago is make sure that those who earn the least get accessible care and affordable care. That has meant that, for parents, there has been a 3.2 per cent reduction in out-of-pocket costs since the childcare subsidy came into place—

Ms Rishworth interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Kingston!

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

not only that; it has led to participation increasing, and, in particular, female participation increasing. We've seen a six per cent increase in female participation. So the subsidy—the changes that we've put in place—has worked. It's enabled us to ensure that the support is there for the sector. It's also enabled us to provide support to the sector through COVID-19.

Can I once again take this opportunity—and I'm pretty sure it's world educators day tomorrow—to thank all those early educators who have supported the childcare sector throughout this COVID-19 pandemic. The work that they have done is outstanding, and, on behalf of the parliament, I thank them for all the work that they have done, helping us carry the sector through COVID-19. It's been quite extraordinary what the childcare sector has done, especially for essential workers—

Ms Rishworth interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Kingston is warned!

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

throughout COVID-19. We've been able to keep 99 per cent of childcare facilities open throughout the pandemic, by providing support. And we are continuing to provide support to the sector, especially when it comes to childcare providers in Victoria and, in particular, in Melbourne, who are still facing an incredibly difficult time as a result of the stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne and the stage 3 restrictions in the rest of Victoria. Our hope is that, as Victoria recovers from the pandemic, we'll be able to keep those supports in place for Victorian childcare providers so that they will be able to provide that care when parents seek to get back into the workforce as those restrictions are lifted.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just to get it back on track I'll go to the opposition, and then we'll be back on track. I didn't have notice of the Leader of the Greens trying to remote in with a question. As I said, we require notice—it was all there as part of the agreement. Unless we get notice you won't be called. Just to be very clear, I've got no notice today of anyone asking any questions remotely, at this point.