Page 180 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 10 February 2010
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Economics has shown there will be no difference to workforce participation. She has raised the issue of our quality agenda and the impact on cost. The parents I talk to are interested in the quality agenda. They are interested in improved ratios in respect of child participation. They are interested in quality services. They are interested in the skill set of the people that work with their children.
Mrs Dunne, we have been through this before. I am happy to keep on going through it. Access Economics has provided that analysis. I provided that to you last year, Mrs Dunne. So we are investing in childcare. We are introducing a quality agenda. Mrs Dunne, if it is difficult for you to get across this in question time, I am more than happy to give you a brief.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary, Mr Hargreaves?
MR HARGREAVES: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, can you tell us what impact the additional $70 million that Minister Katy Gallagher put in to repair the damage that the Liberal Party did to childcare services has had in the context of today’s cost of childcare?
MS BURCH: I thank Mr Hargreaves for the question and again the opportunity to highlight the investment that this government puts into childcare as care and protection. I take this opportunity to revert to this morning’s discussion. We were looking at the cost of childcare—
Mr Hanson: Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order relating to both the supplementary question and the answer. The question that Mrs Dunne asked was about childcare. The supplementary is about care and protection. They are entirely separate issues. I think the $70 million refers to care and protection rather than childcare. I do not think that the question or the answer which Ms Burch is giving is in order.
MR SPEAKER: I thought I heard Mr Hargreaves focus on childcare. Do you want to clarify that, Mr Hargreaves?
Mr Hargreaves: Mr Speaker, I am not as picky as those opposite. I believe that any child welfare issue encompasses the whole sphere of the welfare of children. This minister is responsible for child welfare. That is where my question went to—child welfare.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Hargreaves. I do not share your interpretation of the depth of the question. Mr Doszpot, a supplementary question?
Mr Hargreaves: Mr Speaker, on a point of order: I got the question in, and I am happy.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hargreaves, thank you. Mr Doszpot, a supplementary question?
MR DOSZPOT: Thank you, Mr Speaker. When Mr Hargreaves is ready; I can wait.
Mr Hargreaves: I’m ready if you are.
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