Page 2235 - Week 06 - Thursday, 6 June 2019
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That has been a significant investment by the ACT government in the future of our children and our families in this city—something that was never, ever able to be committed to by the federal Liberal Party and was still not committed to after the election by the federal Liberal Party. Had the Labor Party been elected we would have been able to phase that universal access to early childhood education in much sooner. But we are still going to provide universal access for three-year-olds and four-year-olds in the ACT—something that the ACT government is incredibly proud of.
MRS KIKKERT: Minister, why do people in the ACT pay $70 more on average for the same service than those in New South Wales and Victoria?
MS BERRY: The ACT government does not set the price of early childhood education in the ACT. We have recognised and listened to the evidence.
Mrs Dunne: Successive ministers have been saying that for far too long.
MS BERRY: Well, it is the truth.
Mrs Dunne: It’s your only excuse.
MS BERRY: It is not an excuse; it is a fact.
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, it is not a discussion across the floor.
MS BERRY: What we are doing, that the Liberal Party has never done, and that the federal Liberal Party has never done and would not commit to, is expand early childhood education and universal access to four-year-olds and three-year-olds as well. That will make a significant difference to a child’s early learning. It will provide opportunities for families to access preschool like they never have before.
MR WALL: Minister, what is the impact of Australia’s highest childcare costs on families in Canberra who are on low incomes?
MS BERRY: Again universal access for three-year-olds and four-year-olds in the ACT will make a difference for families in the ACT.
Mrs Jones: Madam Speaker, I raise a point of order on relevance. The question was about why the policies are making—
Opposition members interjecting—
Mrs Jones: Sorry, the question was—
Mr Wall: What is the impact—
MS BERRY: I can answer it. I cannot really but I can say again—
Opposition members interjecting—
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