Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I've just got to call out some of the opening statements from some of the previous speakers—the Manager of Opposition Business, the member for Moncrieff and the member for Gippsland. I think it's entirely appropriate that the Minister for Early Childhood Education is here, across not only her portfolio but that of the Minister for Education. We took a policy to the election. The member for Gippsland did stick to that policy a lot, but I understand why the other two members didn't want to talk about this policy to drive down the cost of child care across the country, because it's a good policy. To have the Minister for Early Childhood Education here, for one of the biggest election commitments of the Albanese government, estimated at $5 billion, which will transform our economy, is entirely appropriate. Shame on them for dragging her for turning up and doing her job.

I want to be specific. This policy, which none of you guys want to talk about, will help 1.2 million families across Australia. It will help 9,400 families in my electorate of Bennelong, which is the electorate with the second-highest number of families, I am told. That's 1,169 families in Epping and North Epping, 1,932 families in Ryde, 1,608 families in North, East and West Ryde, 868 families in Eastwood, 803 families in Ermington—and I could go on. From 1 July—and that's only 19 days away—these families will have access to more affordable early childhood education. That's because of the work of this government and the good work of the Minister for Early Childhood Education, so it's entirely appropriate that she is here.

We know that the advantages of affordable early childhood education are truly transformative. Not only does it empower children to embark on a journey of lifelong learning but it also gives parents the opportunity to work or study, to help earn a better wage and to make ends meet. This is only the first step. The Albanese Labor government is committed to creating a future where affordable, accessible and high-quality early education becomes a universal right. To achieve this vision, we have initiated two inquiries that delve deep into Australia's early childhood education system. Under those opposite, the prices skyrocketed. That's unsustainable. It's unsustainable for families and it's unsustainable for the sector. We know that access for everybody to early childhood education is critical. The first five years of a child's life are their formative years, and they set the foundation for future life outcomes, encompassing their learning, health and overall wellbeing. Research has proven this over and over—that children who participate in quality early learning programs experience improved educational outcomes, enhanced literacy and numeracy skills, higher school retention rates and greater success in their academic journey. That's why this policy is so important, because it will get more families and more kids into the early education system.

Recently I spoke to a local mum from Carlingford. Her name is Christina. Both of Christina's children have attended Midson Road Child Care Centre in my electorate of Bennelong, which I had the pleasure of visiting with the Minister for Early Childhood Education not so long ago. Christina told me about her experience as a full-time working parent of two boys and the benefit that access to early childhood education has had not just for her and her career but for her two children. Her two kids have attended child care and early education since they were three months old, which meant that Christine was able to get back to work whilst knowing that her children would be safe and cared for and that they would be learning in these facilities. Since attending Midson Road, her boys have had some great experiences, their favourites being excursions to the new Metro when it opened up—which is something I really enjoyed when it opened up, so it's for young and old—and meeting farmyard animals at school. For families like Christina's, more affordable early education means that they will get more money back into their household budgets right at a time when we know times are tough. This is a cost-of-living measure, as it also is a productivity and education measure, because we know this policy doesn't just benefit children; it is good for families.

Natalie Sard is a local who lives in West Ryde and she told me that her kids have benefited from early childhood education. Her kids are prepared for their school routines. They have had positive input into their emotional and behavioural development, and early childhood educators, who are just fantastic, have helped her kids develop self-regulation, empathy and problem-solving skills. For Natalie, cheaper child care means more money for necessities such as food, such as housing, such as education and health care. This is good policy, and I am not surprised that those opposite don't want to talk about it.

Minister, I would like to ask you: How will the Albanese Labor government's reforms make early learning more affordable and how will they benefit our economy?

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