Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness) Share this | Hansard source

From the government's perspective, the amendments are not acceptable. The new requirement will start on 1 July this year and will help ensure that 92,000 children each year get a preschool health assessment. The government's measure focuses on income support families because there is clear evidence not only that children from low-income families begin school less well prepared but also that that early gap persists and even widens as children progress through school if not addressed early. For example, a 2010 review of the research evidence by the Australian Medical Association concluded that:

Poor families also may have inadequate or limited access to community resources that promote and support children’s development and school readiness. Poor children are at greater risk than those from higher income families for a range of problems, including detrimental effects on IQ, poor academic achievement, poor socio-emotional functioning, developmental delays, behavioural problems, poor nutrition, low birth weight, and respiratory disease.

Data from The Longitudinal Study of Australian Childrenalso showsthat children from financially disadvantaged families have a lower readiness for school and are at greater risk of development delay than those from higher-income families. Further, there is evidence that socioeconomic background can be a factor in whether children are likely to access health services.

The evidence supports the government's moves to use the family tax benefit part A supplement to encourage these families to make sure they get their child to do a health check provided free by the states and territories and the Commonwealth through the MBS.