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

I thank Senator Gichuhi for her question and for her very personal interest in relation to support for Australian families in accessing quality child care and quality early childhood education and having financial assistance to do so, particularly for those from low- and middle-income backgrounds. From 2 July this year, the Turnbull government's reforms to childcare arrangements will provide greatly enhanced support targeted at the hardest-working low- and middle-income Australian families. In fact, more than 283,000 families on family incomes of less than $65,000, approximately, will receive increased rates of subsidy as a result of our reforms. More than 483,000 families earning between $65,000 and $170,000 will also receive greater levels of childcare subsidy and support. This is because the Turnbull government is better targeting support to those families on low and middle incomes, who are also working the longest hours. It's about making sure that they receive better support in recognition of the hours they work or study or volunteer, and that's what our new activity test seeks to do.

It's also about increasing the rate of subsidy for those families, which is why we're lifting that from around 72 per cent to 85 per cent for those hardworking low-income families. It comes with a strong safety net, ensuring that children in very low-income families are still able to access additional hours of child care, but importantly it provides benefits right across the nation. In Tasmania, some 85 per cent of families will benefit. In Victoria, some 75 per cent will benefit. In Western Australia, some 72 per cent will benefit. In my home state of South Australia, roughly some 80 per cent will benefit. In the shadow minister's own electorate in South Australia, some 84 per cent of families will benefit because we're targeting those who need it most.