Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

What I would say is the Morrison government has a very proud track record when it comes to the affordability of child care for Australian families, particularly for Australian women seeking to return to the workforce, and there is a very, very important component to make sure that women's workforce participation is at high levels. As I said in the answer to the primary question, before the pandemic Australia's women's workforce participation levels were at an all-time record. I would also draw to the attention of the chamber the fact that this government, the Morrison government, will spend in this 2020-21 year $9 billion supporting Australian parents with childcare subsidies. That is in addition to the $900 million that was specifically set aside during the pandemic to help Australian parents through the very, very difficult circumstances that they all found themselves in during the pandemic, particularly those people who were taking on important care and support roles.