asked the Minister for Employment Participation and Childcare, in writing, on 16 August 2011:

In respect of proposed changes in the regulation of childcare ratios to be put before COAG in 2011, is it a fact that the ratio of staff to children in smaller centres for the age group of 2-3 years is proposed to be changed from 1:8 to 1:5, commencing in 2012, and that this ratio will also apply to larger centres, but not until 2016; if so, what is the Government doing to overcome the competitive disadvantage that this will have on smaller centres.