Page 308 - Week 01 - Thursday, 17 February 2011
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The figures demonstrate that childcare is a priority for this government. The report on government services released in January shows that the ACT government has one of the highest levels of investment per child in children’s services in 2009-10. We are building new centres in areas where they are needed most. We are building a new and expanded home for Gumnut Place and Alkira childcare centres. We are building a new space for 25 babies at Baringa childcare centre in Spence.
Last week the Chief Minister opened a new childcare centre at Harrison on land released by the ACT government. We are planning new childcare centres in areas of demand at Holt and Holder. And over the past two years, the ACT government has invested no less than $2.4 million in other childcare centre capital upgrades. These investments go directly to providing more accessible, quality childcare places in areas of demand, reducing costs for families.
Childcare affordability in the ACT is comparable to that in other capital cities around Australia. According to the DEEWR Child care update released last week, a person with an income of $75,000 per year spends seven per cent of their disposable income on childcare compared with the 13 per cent they were spending in 2004.
The ACT government is acutely mindful of the importance of the cost of living for Canberrans, and we know that childcare is one of several expenses facing families and households. The federal government increased the childcare rebate from 30 to 50 per cent in July 2008, and childcare costs for families in Canberra fell immediately by 22 per cent according to the ABS stats and 9.9 per cent to date.
These figures show that the conscious efforts of the ACT and federal governments are reducing the real cost of childcare. Under the federal Labor government, the real cost of childcare—that is, the out-of-pocket cost for families—has decreased. This is not something that the Canberra Liberals will tell you, and it is not something that fits into their somewhat scaremongering campaign, but the figures do not lie: childcare has become more affordable under Labor.
From July this year, the rebate will be paid fortnightly rather than quarterly, putting money into the hands of parents when they actually pay the childcare fees. Last week we found that 2,000 families in the ACT are not claiming their entitlements. That is 2,000 families who are not accessing childcare benefits and/or the childcare rebate. I am encouraging families to check the MyChild website for information about how they can access that very significant level of dollars for support.
The government has been working hard to ensure that childcare centres in the ACT are accessible. Long-day care places have increased by over 1,100 places and there are now over 16,800 children using care in the territory. The government has a strong commitment to increase places and equip parents with greater choice about where they send their children.
We have a strong record about going forward. In March I intend to table a bill to establish a ratings system against the new quality standards. Parents will be able to view the quality rating of each childcare centre on the MyChild website together with information about the fees and information about vacancies.
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