Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister Watt. Minister, early education is a fundamental right, yet across the country 700,000 people live in childcare deserts, according to research published by Victoria University. That is one in four people who has no access to early childhood education and care because of where they live. It's unacceptable that in a wealthy country like ours access to child care continues to be determined by your postcode. I've been hearing from parents and communities across Victoria whose kids are on multiple waiting lists and who are missing out on an early education because they can't secure child care. Minister, what concrete steps has the government taken to specifically address the issue of childcare deserts in Australia?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Bilyk, for your interjection there. I know, Senator Bilyk, that you've probably got more experience working in the early childhood education and care sector than anyone in this chamber, so I thank you for that interjection.

In answer to your question, Senator Hodgins-May, as I think I've pointed out before, the Albanese government is investing probably more than any government in Australia's history in early childhood education and care. I know it may not be enough for your satisfaction, and we know that, whatever Labor does, the Greens will always demand more. That's the business model of the Greens. We understand that. But it's an undeniable fact that the Albanese government has delivered a significant pay rise for early childhood education and care workers—a pay rise that was desperately deserved by those workers. We know that one of the key impediments to getting people to work in the sector or remain in sector has been low pay. I'm not sure about you, Senator, but, certainly, at the centres that I've been to over the last few weeks, since that pay rise was awarded, I've literally met early childhood education and care workers who are telling us that not only are they now intending to stay in the sector as a result of this pay rise but they're also being contacted by their friends who had left the sector because of the low pay and are seeking to come back.

Having the workforce available is a key point in making sure that Australians can obtain the care that they seek for their children in the way that you're seeking. We're obviously doing a lot more than that, though, around reducing childcare fees and investing in the sector in a much broader range of ways than has ever been done before.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hodgins-May?

Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would just like to draw the minister's attention to the question, which is about childcare deserts rather than existing child care.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister is addressing your question. Minister, please continue.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd be surprised that you would be arguing that paying workers a fair wage is not part of the solution to childcare deserts. We know that there haven't been enough childcare and early childhood education and care services available, and that's what we're fixing. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hodgins-May, first supplementary?

Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Early education and care in Australia is a system in crisis. Rural, remote and regional towns in particular are suffering, where the acute lack of child care is hurting families, contributing to financial stress and impacting parents' mental health. It is clear that market forces alone will not create equal education outcomes or allow more women to participate in the workforce. Minister, will the government commit to providing supply-side subsidies for childcare providers to tackle childcare deserts?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We are doing that, particularly when it comes to regional Australia. The truth is that we did inherit a system that wasn't responding to the needs of regional and rural families when it comes to early childhood education and care. Through round 4 of the Community Child Care Fund we're providing around $80 million to over 430 early childhood education and care services supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, including in regional and rural areas. Our reforms for cheaper child care are also making early learning cheaper for over one million families, including 265,000 families in regional Australia. Whether it be the funding that we're providing to centres through the Community Child Care Fund, paying workers in the sector the wage they deserve that makes it more attractive for them to stay in the sector, or providing greater fee relief for Australian families who need childcare services, we are doing everything we can, and we will keep investing to fix the problem.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hodgins-May, second supplementary?

Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A report out today by the Parenthood found that a staggering 86 per cent of regional, rural and remote parents who are struggling to access child care say it's causing them significant financial stress. Parents feel broken by the stress of searching and waiting for childcare spots. While their kids miss out on crucial early years education, they continue to miss out on much needed paid work. Minister, we are in a cost-of-living crisis. Why, then, won't Labor listen to parents and families and finally deliver on making child care free and universally accessible for all families?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Unlike the Greens, the Labor Party is actually delivering the early childhood education care and services that so many families in regional and rural Australia are seeking. We're not just interested in coming in here and making complaints, grandstanding or jumping up on stage with the CFMEU, as we know the Greens like to do. What we're actually doing is delivering the services that Australian families need. We acknowledge that there's a long way to go because we did inherit a system that was fundamentally broken by the coalition, despite their claims to be the party representing rural and regional Australia. That's why we are now, through the Community Child Care Fund, investing more in services, delivering the pay rise that workers in the sector need, reducing the fees to be charged—

Oh, it's the head of the Setka faction of the Greens over there, Senator Shoebridge, chipping in. We are doing what the Greens can only complain and grandstand about. We're actually getting it done. We're interested in results. (Time expired)