Childcare Services

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:58): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Did the government honour its commitment made to Childcare SA in 2011 to propose the need for further transitional arrangements for South Australia in the national regulations and, if so, what was the outcome of that proposal?

The SPEAKER: I note that the member for Unley read his entire question from a piece of paper.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:59): I thank the member for Unley for his question. My understanding of what occurred, following a meeting between the former minister and representatives of private childcare providers, was that the minister did write to the federal government outlining the issues that were proposed in that particular meeting. I understand that she was later advised that the child:worker ratios were, in fact, fundamental to the national partnership and that if South Australia changed that they would be required to withdraw from the national partnership.

The SPEAKER: Supplementary.