Annette Hurley (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. The senator should know that 2,200 people have signed a petition against this cut, so I am surprised that the minister is not aware of it. Considering that the centre in question recruits, trains and supports 120 child-care workers, the government should guarantee that there will be no capacity loss in this sector. How are parents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds expected to find the time to work, learn English or seek employment when they are unable to access suitable child care? Does this once again show that under the Howard government there is no real choice in child care?