Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

Without our comprehensive reforms, the $7½ thousand cap on the childcare rebate, which sees so many Australian families hit February or March of the financial year and just run out of support, would have stayed in place. What happens? Those families choose to work fewer days because they can't afford the childcare bills. They choose to forgo the opportunities of employment. That's what we're bringing to an end, empowering that choice in those families. We're equally putting in place pricing mechanisms that will keep a downward lid on fee growth in the future, helping both families and taxpayers with what have been runaway costs in childcare fees.

It's remarkable, though, that those opposite across the Labor Party chose to vote against the Turnbull government's reforms, which are helping almost one million Australian families with additional support—the lowest-income families with the greatest support. The Leader of the Opposition voted against some 4,800 families in his own electorate who will be better off as a result of these reforms, as did each and every one of those members opposite. But the Turnbull government is proud and determined to deliver families the support they need.