Page 4084 - Week 09 - Thursday, 26 August 2010

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children’s policy and regulation units in DHCS to maintain vacancy data. It is their role to regulate compliance with standards and licensing conditions, which is a very important role.

However, in recognition of the ongoing demand and the need to consider the supply of childcare for the ACT, a childcare planning interdepartmental committee has been established, bringing together those areas across government that have responsibility for planning and facilities to enable an adequate supply of childcare places across our growing territory.

The ACT Labor government has also planned for vital childcare infrastructure in the territory. We have announced in the 2010-11 budget that childcare facilities are to be built at the former Flynn primary school in my electorate at a cost of $4 million over two years, catering to around 110 childcare places. This was not supported by the Liberal opposition, despite the fact that it provided a home for two childcare centres in Belconnen—Gumnut and Alkira from Evatt and Charnwood—that were in need of alternative accommodation.

The ACT Labor government is also spending $5 million on expanding Red Hill primary to allow the French-Australian childcare centre and preschool to remain in its current location. DHCS is currently assisting Baringa childcare centre to expand its centre at Spence to cater for demand for childcare for babies from zero to two years old. The ACT government has also planned new centres in developing areas like Molonglo and is identifying areas where community land can be used for childcare purposes in the future.

The ACT government is committed to continuing to deliver high quality education and childcare services for children in the ACT. To this end we are committed to the development of quality improvements in childcare services. Childcare is a matter of public importance, and the government’s focus is on ensuring quality, affordable childcare which helps children achieve the best outcomes now and into the future.

Public Accounts—Standing Committee

Report 9

Debate resumed.

MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (4.14): It is an interesting report that the committee has tabled today. I start by thanking the members involved and, particularly, the secretary, Andrea Cullen, for the work that she has done. The report looks at what was a very contentious report from the government’s point of view when it was tabled. We saw the amazing attacks by the minister and by the Chief Minister on the Auditor-General over her frank report. The committee report describes how the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell, made certain comments to the committee about the approach adopted by the Auditor-General in compiling the report into the delivery of ambulance services in the ACT. At paragraph 2.19, the report states:

… the Auditor-General commented that the Minister’s statement was misleading and misrepresented the views … in the Audit report …


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