Childcare Services

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:59): How does the minister expect families to afford child care for their children when the cost will increase by $100 a week in just over 12 months' time?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Education and Child Development) (15:00): I will make a couple of points in this. I make the point that the member for Unley is clearly advocating for larger staff:child ratios.

Mr PISONI: Point of order, sir: the minister does not speak for the member for Unley.

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley can leave the chamber for the next three-quarters of an hour for a bogus point of order and an impromptu speech.

The honourable member for Unley having withdrawn from the chamber:

Mr GARDNER: Sir, the minister verballed the member for Unley in her answer—

The SPEAKER: If the member for Morialta continues, he will join the member for Unley.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: This government cares about children and cares about the quality of care that we provide for children, and staff:child ratios in child care are fundamental to that, as are teacher:child ratios in our schools, and we do not hear anyone advocating for more children in classes, so it is absolutely fundamental. It has been put about that there are going to be massive increases in childcare fees. Can I say that Victoria went to a 1:4 ratio back in 2012. Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and the ACT are all at 1:5.

A very small survey was undertaken in Western Australia to gauge the difference in childcare costs there compared to South Australia. I am told that in Western Australia, which meets the new ratio and has done for the past 2½ years, fees are on average $4 a day more than in South Australian centres.

The SPEAKER: Before I call anyone else, from the beginning of my term as Speaker I have ruled that the use of points of order to make impromptu speeches is highly disorderly and wastes question time, and it is not in order to get up under the guise of a point of order and say, 'I disagree with the person speaking.' As I said to the member for Stuart recently, if you disagree with something in the minister's answer and you are being misrepresented, you will rise at the end of the minister's answer, seek leave to make a personal explanation and, in my experience, the house will invariably grant it. The member for Reynell.