House debates

Tuesday, 4 February 2020

Notices

Education (Question No. 230)

Photo of Rebekha SharkieRebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Families and Social Services in writing on 24 October 2019:

(1) When was the last time the Government undertook a non-administrative review of the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) payments.(2) Will the Government conduct a review of AIC payments; if so, when; if not, why not.(3) Has the Government considered different AIC payment rates for geographically isolated children as compared to non-geographically isolated children; if so, what was the result of that consideration; if not, why not.(4) Why are AIC payments currently indexed to the consumer price index rather than the education sub-index.(5) Broken down by state and territory, how many geographically isolated students are enrolled in an early years' program via distance education in their pre-school education year prior to compulsory schooling.(6) Has the Government considered allowing access to AIC payments for parents of children undertaking an early years' program via distance education prior to compulsory schooling; if so, what was the result of that consideration; if not, why not.(7) In respect of Senate general business notice of motion no. 200 ( Journals of the Senate , 17 October 2019, page 715), will the Government implement a rural hardship education fund or grants program linked to disasters such as drought, bushfire and flood to assist rural and remote students continue their education unchanged; if so, can details be provided; if not, why not.

Photo of Stuart RobertStuart Robert (Fadden, Liberal Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | | Hansard source

The Minister for Families and Social Services has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

(1) The Department of Social Services regularly provides advice on a range of issues related to social security payments, such as Assistance for Isolated Children, including policy options, payment rates, cohort analysis and commentary on analysis undertaken by research and other organisations.

(2) The Department of Social Services regularly provides advice on a range of issues related to social security payments, such as Assistance for Isolated Children, including policy options, payment rates, cohort analysis and commentary on analysis undertaken by research and other organisations.

(3) AIC allowances are intended for the families of students who do not have reasonable daily access to an appropriate state school. This may be because of geographical isolation or because the student has special needs due to a disability or other health-related condition. The Department of Social Services regularly provides advice on a range of issues related to social security payments, such as Assistance for Isolated Children, including payment rates.

(4) Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases to AIC allowances commenced from 1 January 2000. The application of CPI increases to AIC allowances is consistent with CPI increases applied to other student payments such as Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY.

(5) The Department of Education is unable to provide an answer to this question. Information on preschool enrolments is contained in the National Early Childhood Education and Care Collection (NECECC). The NECECC does not include a variable identifying whether a preschool program is provided via distance education. The collection does provide information on preschool enrolments by geographic location, available at www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS%5Cabs@.nsf/0/BC7AC812771E8FEFCA2578680014F525?Opendocument. State and territory governments are responsible for preschool delivery and, as such, may be able to provide information on distance education preschool enrolments.

(6) The AIC Scheme provides assistance to students undertaking compulsory education. Responsibility for early education resides with state and territory governments, which provide a range of programs to support early education.

(7) Special Circumstances Funding provides financial help to eligible schools when unexpected circumstances or events cause severe and temporary financial difficulty. A dedicated $4 million Special Circumstances Funding round was conducted during early 2019 to provide support to schools affected by the 2019 North Queensland floods. Likewise, a $10 million 2019/20 Drought Relief Fund for non-government schools opened on 12 November 2019. Applications for the drought relief fund closed on Monday 16 December, and the department is currently assessing the applications received, with funding to be delivered during early 2020.

Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) Special Circumstance funding is available to support approved child care services impacted by local emergencies, natural disasters or operating in drought affected areas that are experiencing financial pressure putting them at risk of closure. A dedicated $5 million funding for 2019-20 was made available from November 2019 for eligible child care services in drought affected areas. Another $4 million is available in 2019-20 for services affected by natural disasters such as floods and fire, or other unforeseen circumstances causing financial pressure and putting the service at risk of closure. Applications for this grant opportunity are available on the Department of Education website and are assessed on a case-by-case basis.