Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

Around one million Australian families are benefiting from these changes. As we said, costs, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, are down around 10 per cent. One million families are benefiting, and it's because of the way we've structured this. By targeting support to those who are working the longest hours and those earning the least amount, we are delivering lower costs but greater participation. The data also shows that the number of families utilising early childhood services increased by 3.6 per cent in the June quarter. So utilisation is going up because families are realising that child care is more affordable and accessible thanks to our reforms.

Despite the doomsday predictions we heard from some of those opposite, I am very pleased to note a 24 per cent increase in the number of Indigenous children accessing early childhood education and care. Those opposite predicted doom and gloom because of activity-test or other reforms. We said safeguards are in place, and the proof is there that participation has, in fact, gone up.