House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-11-11 Daily Xml

Contents

Early Childhood Education

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:04): When is the minister going to answer my letter on this same subject, which she has now had for two weeks, or even read it?

The SPEAKER: Well, there's four minutes on the clock.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Education and Child Development) (15:04): I had read the member for Bragg's letter and thought it was really interesting that she was lobbying me in relation to the universal access program that's funded $30 million for South Australia to provide the extra three hours for kids to go to preschool. I was waiting until we had confirmation from the federal government about what they were actually proposing.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: You will get your letter after I have had a response from Sussan Ley. I have sent her a letter—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: No, it's in the detail—shifted the goalposts to ensure that no-one would actually qualify. They shifted the goalposts: 'Here is the money, but you will never get it.' I am happy to send you that response if that is what you want. I am writing to minister Ley asking her to confirm what she said on radio, that the universal access program, as has been operating successfully in South Australia and around the nation, will continue in exactly the same format, not a format that means no state around Australia can actually meet the benchmarks.

Ms Chapman: You got caught out.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: I didn't get caught out. She has been caught out, and we are happy to take her at her word.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Education is warned a first time. However, it is the deputy leader who has had the two warnings, and continues.

The Hon. J.M. Rankine: So I am the only one who gets warned, sir? Is that right?

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Education is warned a second and final time.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: Spectacular result for Charles Sturt, sir.

The SPEAKER: Indeed! Does anyone have a question? The member for Goyder.