Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Senator Walsh. Quality early learning gives First Nations children the very best start in life. It helps them learn, develop and thrive and lays the foundations for success at school and beyond. Can the minister update the Senate on the latest progress towards closing the gap in early childhood education and how the Albanese Labor government is working with First Nations communities to build on that progress?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) | Link to this | Hansard source

Great question, Senator Stewart, and thank you for all your advocacy on behalf of Indigenous Australians and all Australians. We do have good news to celebrate when it comes to helping First Nations children access the benefits of quality early education. More than 95 per cent of First Nations children are now enrolled in preschool, and there has been improvement in every state and territory. What that means is that, together, we have met for the first time Closing the Gap target 3. It is a landmark achievement because quality early learning does give children a great start in life. It helps them arrive at school ready to thrive. We know there's more to do, but this achievement really shows what is possible when governments listen to First Nations communities and work in genuine partnership with them.

I was really proud to mark this achievement alongside Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator McCarthy. I recently joined Minister McCarthy at Garma on Yolngu country. There we listened to communities. We heard their ambitions for their children, and our government is backing that ambition. With Labor's three-day guarantee, every family now has access to at least three days of child care subsidy each week, and First Nations children can access five days. This has been a game changer. The data shows us that more First Nations children are using early learning as a result, more children are getting the opportunity to learn and grow in their early years, and more parents are getting the practical support they need to make life work and to build a strong future. It was First Nations communities who advocated to make it possible, and we have listened.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart, first supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. Meeting this Closing the Gap target is an important milestone, but, as both you and I know, there is more work ahead. How is the Albanese Labor government partnering with First Nations communities to help more children start school strong?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) | Link to this | Hansard source

(—) (): We should celebrate this milestone and do more to ensure that First Nations children are supported to develop, thrive and be ready for school. We know what works—early-learning centres that are community led, that are culturally safe and that are trusted by families. I saw that in Derby where I met Rowena Mouda and the Nganga women. For years, they ran playgroups in local parks and halls for children to play and learn together, but they wanted more. They had a vision for a permanent home and a quality early-learning centre. We listened and we backed them. Our government is investing $9 million from our Building Early Education Fund towards a new service operated by those very women, the Nganga women, and we'll invest in more ACCO led services like this too, because this is how we close the gap. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart, second supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Every child deserves the opportunity to benefit from quality early learning. How has the Albanese Labor government listened to the concerns of First Nations communities about previous approaches, and how have we responded?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) | Link to this | Hansard source

We believe that children shouldn't miss out on early learning because of their parents' circumstances, but that is exactly what the coalition's activity test did.

If a parent lost their job, their child could lose access to early learning. If a parent couldn't find enough work, their child could lose access to early learning. The coalition locked out children for things that they had absolutely no control over, including the children who had the most to gain from early learning, including First Nations children. We changed that, and we're proud of that. We said that access should be about the child, not their parents' work roster, not whether their mum could pick up another shift. Our three-day guarantee is now in place, and First Nations children can access five days of subsidised early learning each week. We delivered this, it is working, and every child, including First Nations children, deserve a great start in life.