Page 2419 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 13 August 2014
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We have four months left of 2014, and the community at large deserves some certainty and idea around the future funding arrangements and partnership agreements between the commonwealth and the states and territories sooner rather than later if we are to provide continuity and sustainability to the sector. It is reasonably clear that there is real value in getting that resolved as soon as possible. On that basis I am happy to support the motion Ms Berry has put forward today.
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Disability, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Racing and Gaming, Minister for Women and Minister for the Arts) (10.26): I am pleased to support Ms Berry’s motion today. I know that Ms Berry and many others in this chamber understand and appreciate just how important preschool is for young Canberrans and their families. I recall Mrs Jones in estimates on this subject just last week supporting me in the call for the commonwealth to commit the extra dollars and full certainty. So I am still unclear whether the Canberra Liberals will be supporting this motion, but certainly on a personal level Mrs Jones has made her view very clear indeed.
Based somewhat on that level of support from all in this room—I appreciate Mr Rattenbury’s support for this motion as well—I can give the Assembly absolute confidence and assurance that I will be taking this matter up with the commonwealth government and the relevant minister as a matter of urgency and importance. We are in August. There are four months left of this year. I would certainly like to be able to do that with the full support of this Assembly, because I think that is important.
Madam Speaker, the evidence is very clear on this topic: early education works and makes a difference. No doubt this is for many reasons. The evidence to the Productivity Commission in its recent inquiry into childcare provision in Australia strongly recommended that the national partnership continue. Indeed, the Productivity Commission stated:
The Australian Government should continue to provide per child payments to the states and territories for universal access to a preschool program—
As it does currently at 600 hours a year—
This support should be based on the number of children enrolled in state and territory government funded preschool services …
The Commission went beyond this and suggested further expansion of the program, saying:
The Australian Government should provide per child preschool payments direct to long day care services for 15 hours per week and 40 weeks per year, where long day care services do not receive such funding from the states and territories.
Madam Speaker, this is from the Productivity Commission whose expertise and qualifications are well respected and acknowledged. They know quite well the benefit both socially and economically of ensuring that we have high-quality and highly accessible early childhood education. The increase to productivity and our economy
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