Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

As a government we have put a considerable, greater, contribution into the childcare system in this country. Importantly, in the context of this process, we have also established a transition payment, as it is described. That was the choice between having an ongoing JobKeeper or a 25 per cent subsistence payment to the sector. We are talking about the same amount of support in that context, but it does mean that more employees are able to be helped, and in the consultations that government had with the sector that was seen as the better way forward. So that transition payment of 25 per cent of childcare services fees revenue will continue to support the sector through to 27 September. In fact, it puts $708 million back into the sector as it moves back to the childcare subsidy system. What we have said to providers is that in order to receive the transition payment providers will need to guarantee employment levels to protect staff as they move off JobKeeper. (Time expired)