Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 969 standing in my name.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That, noting that the Government announced:

(a) that the Jobs for Families legislation, including the Childcare Assistance Package, would be tabled by Christmas 2015; and

(b) the childcare package reforms will be implemented in July 2017, there be laid on the table by the Minister for Education and Training (Senator Birmingham), no later than 4 pm on -18 December 2015, all documents relating to the Childcare Assistance Package, including, but not limited to, documents produced by and/or for, and communications related to the reform package, including specifically:

(a) economic modelling on the impact of the reforms on families earning $65,000·to $300,000 plus per annum, where either one or both parents are working;

(b) reports from the focus groups conducted by the Government to inform the policy proposal;

(c) clarification of the activity test, specifically relating to the hours of work correlating to the hours of subsidised childcare available;

(d) economic data and modelling used to determine where families will be $30 per week 'better off'; and

(e) economic and social data and departmental modelling relating to the form package.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government opposes this motion. The government announced the Jobs for Families package at the 2015-16 budget. We introduced the legislation today, well in advance of the July 2017 implementation time line. At the same time the government also tabled a 130-page detailed regulation impact statement and a 130-page explanatory memorandum. The childcare package is fundamentally fair. It delivers the greatest rate of subsidy to those who earn the least, while targeting more hours of subsidy to those who work the most. We call upon the opposition and crossbenches in the Senate to support this additional investment into child care and early learning.

Question agreed to.