Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

During the campaign I spoke to an elderly gentleman in my electorate about the things we were delivering as a government. I mentioned child care and he said, 'Oh, love, my kids and my grandkids are all grown up, so it doesn't affect me. Anyway, I'm off for a blood test.' I stopped and I thought: I wonder if the blood collector or the pathologist has a child in child care?

The thing is that child care impacts us all, every single one of us. Even for someone like me with a media background who hears the tough stories, the allegations out of Victoria were truly shocking. Our thoughts are with those families affected, those parents who trusted a service with their most precious things, the lives of their children, only to feel betrayed. Let me say that your government stands with you.

We also stand with our incredibly professional childcare educators, who are facing some pretty torrid times at the moment. We are not just offering words; we are taking action. Just last night we saw the minister, Jason Clare, on 7.30 deliver a calm, serious and heartfelt response. It is worthwhile, so thank you so much for that, Minister. We care about children. Child care matters. It impacts us all, and this government is passing laws to ensure that. (Time expired)

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