Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:27 pm
My question is directed to the Prime Minister. The member for Farrer has repeatedly refused to inoculate the childcare rebate, in payments from the Productivity Commission recommendations, in her last two questions. On the other hand, before the election, the coalition was saying—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Order! The Leader of the Opposition will put that piece of paper down that he is holding up.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
there was no chance of touching the childcare rebate.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Can we stop the weasel words, Prime Minister, for our parents' sakes and their childcare payments?
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Order! Before I call the Leader of the House, I would say to the Leader of the Opposition it would be nice if you were courteous and used the courtesies of the House, and when I say to you that time has expired, it has expired. I call the Leader of the House.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
Madam Speaker, on a point of order: I simply point out that—I am sure the Leader of the Opposition would like to rewind that entire incident but he has not actually asked a question of anybody on this side of the House; therefore I am wondering whether—we have an answer prepared, or would you like to move to the next questioner? I am not sure what the question is, Madam Speaker.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
There is no point of order. The point is that the Leader of the Opposition did make a statement, which could be interpreted as a question. I will put it to the Prime Minister to answer, should he wish.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:29 pm
I am very happy to be standing here to support the Assistant Minister for Education who has answered, very well, these questions. To speak in support of the Assistant Minister for Education, this government is determined to do whatever we reasonably can to improve our childcare system.
The childcare system has not been comprehensively reviewed for more than 20 years. We think that the best way—
Mr Shorten interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Order! The Prime Minister will resume his seat for one moment. To the Leader of the Opposition: it is out of order to utilise those pieces of paper in that manner. Kindly desist.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
We think that the best way to consider the childcare system is to give it to the Productivity Commission, which has done such good work when it comes to disabilities, when it comes to aged care and when it comes to paid parental leave. This is the right body to advise us as to how we can best look at our childcare system to try to ensure that it best reflects the 24/7 nature of the modern workplace and the diversity of the modern Australian family.
So that is what we propose to do. I can indicate to the House that we will do a much better job when it comes to child care than the former government did, which promised to end the double drop-off and which promised 260 childcare centres, and broke that promise after just 38 of them had been delivered. But what we will not be doing is breaking our pre-election commitments, and we have no intention to means test.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Has the Prime Minister concluded his answer? Does the Manager of Opposition Business have a point of order to make?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Not now. It appears the promise has concluded as well.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Do you want me to withdraw?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
I withdraw, Madam Speaker.