Anne Aly
Cowan · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“We're also delivering a permanent two-year loss carry-back for companies with a turnover of up to $1 billion so that they can return to profitability faster. We're cutting red tape and lowering compliance costs by removing a further 497 nuisance tariffs. That's going to save businesses around $127 million a year.”
“The Albanese Labor government backs in that ambition and that aspiration because we understand that, when Australia's 2.77 million small businesses grow, local communities grow with them.”
“I want to thank the member for Tangney for his question but also for his incredible advocacy for small businesses in his electorate of Tangney. It wasn't that long ago that the member for Tangney and I visited a really impressive small business in Willetton, the Willetton Trophy Centre.”
“That's why we're delivering real change for Australians, including tax cuts for workers and sole traders, something that the three right-wing parties voted against. We back all taxpayers on this side of the House. We back families, we back parents and we back small business.”
“There's our multicultural communities in Cowan, as well: the Macedonian community, our Vaishnav Sangh, Mirrabooka mosque, Perth North Tamil School, the Multicultural Services Centre, Malaga Multicultural Alliance, the Organisation of African Communities, Sacred India Gallery, the New Life Christian Centre and the Kenyan Community in WA.”
“I just want to give a shout-out to these groups: the Greenwood Street Pantry; the Lions Club of Wanneroo; Fostering Hope; No Limits; the various men's sheds, which I know everybody has in their electorates; 12 Buckets, who do amazing work with young people; the Marangaroo Family Centre; our Vietnamese Seniors Association; Wheelchairs for…”
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“I thank the wonderful member for Barton for her question and I welcome her to this place. She has already made an incredible contribution, and I know that she will continue to make an incredible contribution while she's here. For the first time, Australia has a standalone minister for multicultural affairs in cabinet, and I must say I'm incredibly humbled to be appointed to this position and I'm excited to have launched the new office for multicultural affairs. If I may, I'd like to take a moment to just reflect on the composition of this parliament here today, one that is beginning to reflect modern Australia and one that is very different from the one I delivered my first speech to in 2016. In this 48th Parliament we have the most multiculturally diverse government this nation has ever seen.”
“I was in absolute awe that these were people that didn't know me but had given up so much of their time, put their faith in me and believed in me even at times when I didn't believe in myself. And so I stand here, almost a decade later—trust me; I didn't think I was going to be here that long—and I'm still in awe of the people of Cowan and how they continue to put their faith in me. It is not something that I take lightly, and it is not something that I take for granted. Every day that I have been here, I have raised the issues that matter the most to the people who have sent me here, the people of Cowan. And every day that I am here I'll continue to do so because—as I began my speech so I end my speech here today—there is no higher honour than representing Cowan in this federal parliament. Debate adjourned.”
“As long as you could chuck a ball, stand with your legs hip width apart and yell out, 'Howzat?' you were one of us. That's the Australia that I know, that's the Australia that I remember and that's the Australia that we can be—an Australia where we all belong because we know that we all share the same values. I want to take these last few moments to once again thank the people of Cowan. I remember my very first election campaign when I first got elected to this place. As a newbie to politics, I had no idea what running an election campaign meant. I had absolutely no idea. I remember on the day before the election sitting around with these volunteers who to me were strangers. I'd never met them before running for office.”
“I don't think you can deny that they are what every parent wants for their child, every family wants for themselves and every individual aspires to. They aspire to fairness, equality, compassion and mutual respect. When I think about the Australia that I know, I think about growing up playing cricket on the streets of the suburbs of Western Sydney. I think about those days when nobody cared where you were from and nobody cared that my skin gradually got darker and darker and blacker and blacker over summer as we stood out there on the hot tarmac—legends of Aussie driveway cricket. As the sun went down, each of our mums would come out and yell out our names for dinner. They each had a different accent, whether Greek, Italian, English, Irish, New Zealand or Egyptian. None of us kids cared.”
“When I walk through the shopping centre, I see people sitting down, like mums having a cup of coffee with their kids and older Cowan residents who have just finished their shopping sitting down to morning tea with friends. These are the social connections that are ever so important, but it feels like, in the age of digital connection, smartphones and social media are tearing away at the social fabric of who we are. The importance of small business cannot be underestimated and cannot be understated not just in the economic benefits that they bring but in the social benefits that they bring to the Cowan community as well. I want Cowan and, indeed, Australia to strengthen and ground our identity as a country that embraces inclusivity and that upholds the values that unite us—the values of respect, equality, compassion and fairness.”
“We already have the wonderful Fariha Beauty, which looks after not just my hair but the hair of everyone in my office as well. I'll just give a shoutout to Fariha and Ibrahim—congratulations on the birth of your second son, Noor. We have the new banh mi place that's opened. We have a kebab shop that sells, I have to say, probably the best kebabs in Western Australia. We have an award-winning bakery, and we have several new hawkers, markets and shops that have opened up in the shopping centre. Having moved into the shopping centre before all of these new businesses came on board, I have to say that bringing the new businesses into the shopping centre has created an entirely different feel for the community. We now have people coming in to the shopping centre, occupying the spaces and getting together.”
“They make a difference when a small business can take on an apprentice. As I look ahead, my vision for Cowan is clear. I want our community to be a place where families feel secure and supported. I want our community to be a place where every child gets the very best start in life, no matter their background, where they were born or where their parents were born. I want our committee to be a place where small businesses and job creators have the backing that they need to succeed. At this point, if I may, I'll just take a moment of indulgence to mention some of the great new small businesses that are opening up in the very heart of Cowan, in Westminster at the Stirling Central Shopping Centre, where my office is located.”
“Each and every one of us in this place can tell you the stories that are relayed to them through their offices when they are out doorknocking, or doing meet-your-member events or having coffee catch up with their local communities about the positive impact that Albanese Labor government policies have had on them. Whether through access to cheaper medicines, being able to visit an urgent care clinic and get the care they need when they need it, or in the tax cuts and getting wages moving again, these are things that are actually making a real difference to the everyday lives of individuals and families in Cowan. They make a difference. They make a difference when a single mum manages to fill a script at the pharmacy. They make a difference when a young couple can finally buy their first home and celebrate getting those keys in their hands.”
“I must tell the House that during the election, when I was out doorknocking about our commitment to also open a new urgent care clinic in Mirrabooka, every single person I spoke to had a positive experience to relate to me about the urgent care clinic in Morley, and was over the moon to know that this Albanese Labor government would deliver another urgent care clinic for them in Mirrabooka. We're also improving access to GPs and restoring our health system after a decade of cuts. These are not just abstract policies. I hear the member opposite let out a deep sigh—they're not just abstract policies.”
“I know at the Balga TAFE that's situated in Cowin it has been an absolutely positive experience for those who have chosen to undertake a free TAFE course and who have developed their education and their skills through that initiative. We're investing in clean energy and healthcare jobs, strengthening Medicare, making medicines even cheaper and expanding access to medicines through the PBS, while opening more urgent care clinics. We already have one in Morley—the Ruddock Road urgent care clinic.”
“I know that in places that are still growing, like Lansdale and Darch, there are still many people who are moving into those areas, building their first home, getting the keys to their first home, being able to move into their first home. It's a real milestone in people's lives, particularly in the lives of young people, so I know that this five per cent deposit scheme is going to benefit so many people. I encourage people to come and move into Cowan. Come and build in Cowan—it's a great place to live and we have a beautiful community culture there as well. We're investing in education, ensuring that every child has the absolute best start in life. We're creating jobs and building skills for the future with more apprentices and apprenticeships, free TAFE places.”
“We're diverse, we're inclusive and we're committed to protecting our environment for generations to come. But our government is not only delivering for Cowan. As much as I am proud of the fact that we're delivering for Cowan, we are also delivering for communities right across Australia so that no-one is held back and no-one is left behind. We are providing cost-of-living relief with tax cuts that mean every Australian taxpayer gets to keep more of what they earn. From 1 October this year, everyone in Cowan and across the country will be able to buy their first home with just a five per cent deposit. This is going to cut years off the time it takes to save for a deposit, helping people into their own homes sooner.”
“Through the Stronger Communities Program, the Albanese government is delivering for community groups, supporting everything from sporting clubs and multicultural services to youth programs and environmental initiatives. Our Volunteer Grants program has provided funding to 17 community groups in Cowan, including family centres, sporting organisations and toy libraries—ensuring our dedicated volunteers can continue their invaluable work. At this point, I also have to thank the members of the Cowan community who form the committees that decide on the allocation of grants based on community need. They themselves are providing a very valuable volunteer service to Cowan, in ensuring that the needs of the Cowan community are met and reflected in the way these grants are delivered. All of these investments reflect essentially who we are in Cowan.”
“We're also protecting our local environment, something I know many Cowan residents are incredibly passionate about. We're backing in the City of Wanneroo's biodiversity plan, investing in environmental upgrades in Ballajura, and supporting Native Animal Rescue so they can continue protecting and rehabilitating our most vulnerable fauna. Having visited Native Animal Rescue several times, I am in absolute awe of what they do and the contributions they make to our community through their rescue efforts. If anyone in Cowan hasn't visited them yet, I guarantee you will not regret it. Our support for the people of Cowan extends well beyond election commitments, with a range of grants helping our community to thrive.”
“We're supporting the Macedonian community, a large part of Cowan, to mark their 40th anniversary—what a milestone—and the Perth North Tamil School, to support the community language school and to commemorate three decades of fostering cultural diversity, language learning and engagement in the community. We're also investing in the Multicultural Services Centre in Mirrabooka, providing funding for the construction of a second storey that will host a range of activities, including upskilling workshops for women from multicultural backgrounds, visual arts exhibitions for emerging artists, community storytelling, poetry and related activities. I also thank the Multicultural Services Centre, with whom I've had a long relationship, for the work they do in servicing the multicultural communities in Cowan.”
“We're supporting multicultural and faith communities across Cowan, including the Vaishnav Sangh of WA, to build new cultural centres that will provide a range of activities, including Gujarati language teaching; Vaishnava art, dance and music activities; the celebration of festivals; vegetarian cooking classes; and the provision of vegetarian meals for the wider community. We're strengthening the capacity of the iconic Mirrabooka Mosque to continue serving the local Muslim community—delivering upgrades to the mosque itself and creating a new space for educational programs, social events and broader community engagement activities. I again pay heed to the mosque organising committee and to Sister Fatima and Sheikh Mohammed for their work in creating a space at the mosque for the community.”
“As a minister, I've had the opportunity to help deliver national reforms in early childhood education, in youth engagement, and now in my new portfolios: small business, international development and multicultural affairs. As we went into the recent election, the Albanese Labor government made commitments to the constituents of Cowan—not just promises, but plans, backed by real funding, to deliver for our community. We're upgrading the Girrawheen community hub, transforming it into a modern and welcoming space for families and community groups that provides opportunities for gatherings, education, community programs and services. I take this opportunity to thank the City of Wanneroo for all they have done to get this project up and running.”
“From Greenwood to Ballajura, from Westminster to Landsdale, Balga, Darch, Warwick, Nollamara, Alexander Heights, Marangaroo, Wangara, Madeley, Hamersley, Koondoola, Malaga, Dianella and Stirling, the Cowan community reflects the very best of Australia: resilient families, proud business owners, generous volunteers and people from every walk of life who look out for one another. Together we've secured investment in safer roads, new cultural facilities, school upgrades and sporting infrastructure. Together we've built stronger communities—places where young people have opportunities, where seniors can retire with dignity and where families can thrive.”
“It's the greatest honour of my life to serve as the member for Cowan, and I want to take a moment to thank the people of Cowan for once again placing their trust in me. Every day, I carry that responsibility with both pride and humility. I stood for election way back in 2016 because I believe in fairness, in opportunity and in building a community where everyone belongs, and over the past years I've worked every single day to deliver on those values in Cowan and in Canberra. When I was first elected in 2016, I vowed to be a strong voice for our diverse and hardworking community. Nearly a decade later, I'm still here, and that principle still guides me.”
“We commit to this for a better future for our children, for a better future for our nation and for an Australia that truly is the most successful multicultural nation in the world.”
“But I will end on this: the responsibility for strengthening our social cohesion in this country and for ensuring that generations of Australians in the future do not have to deal with a fragile social cohesion that is so subject to periodic ruptures, whether it be because of things that are happening overseas or things that are happening domestically, lies on all our shoulders. It lies on the shoulders of every single member in this place by way of how we model behaviour to those people who are watching. But it also falls on the shoulders of every single Australian. Hatred, racism and antisemitism are not things that we can handle alone. They have to be things that every Australian commits to combating.”
“We provided $32½ million to ECAJ for security measures in response to increased violence towards Australia's Jewish community; a grant of $250,000 towards the replacement and restoration of Torah scrolls housed in the Adass Israel synagogue; and $8½ million to upgrade the Sydney Jewish Museum, and that funding will go towards the Centre of Jewish Life and Tolerance. It's with a heavy heart that I stand here and speak about this. There was a time when I thought that I would not have to do so again in this place and when I thought that we had come together in our condemnation of hatred, bigotry and racism in all its forms. That burden of having to consistently stand up against racism and hatred continues to fall on our shoulders.”
“People in this country should be able to freely worship and freely congregate in their faith communities and in their places of worship without having to worry about their security. But, sadly, we are in a position now where we have to harden schools, synagogues, temples, mosques and community centres against people who would be perpetrators of hatred and violence. We provided $25 million to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry for improved safety and security at Jewish sites across the country, including, as I mentioned, schools, preschools, synagogues and faith based community centres.”
“I hear the passion in the member for Berowra and shadow Attorney-General's voice, and I feel that passion too. We should not have to bear the burden of consistently having to stand up and educate people of the impacts of racism on our lives. The Prime Minister also mentioned today our landmark legislation to ban the Nazi salute and the public display of Nazi symbols and, indeed, symbols of any terrorist organisation in Australia. That came into effect in January 2024. We've also criminalised doxxing. In terms of other measures that we have taken, we have provided more than $57 million to improve safety and security at Jewish community sites, including schools and synagogues. It's with great sadness that I say that we had to do this.”
“What is important is not just that we set up the structures to respond to acts of antisemitism but that we set up strong foundations and structures to ensure it doesn't happen again. That requires us to really tackle the fragility of our social cohesion in this country. I've long lamented the fact that there is a kind of gritted-teeth tolerance of difference in our nation, whether that is cultural and linguistic difference, whether it's a difference of race or whether, indeed, it's a difference of faith. We live in a pluralistic nation. Religious pluralism is inherent in our Constitution as well. And yet those of us who have been the recipients of hatred because of our faith or because of the colour of our skin or because of our background know too well that it is a very, very fragile tolerance that we have to live with.”
“I want to take a moment to thank Jillian Segal for the collaborative way in which she has worked, not just with me but with other relevant ministers in her role as the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism. Some of the other things that were mentioned by the Prime Minister and are worth repeating include that we are working with state attorneys-general to establish a national database to track antisemitic crime and other antisemitic incidences and behaviours. We need to know what we're dealing with here. I will say also that, whilst there has been a surge in antisemitism, antisemitism, as Jillian Segal often repeats to me, is an ancient hatred. Unfortunately, in this country we have seen sporadic increases in antisemitism and other forms of hatred throughout history. What is important is that we deal with them.”
“We saw a glimpse of that yesterday afternoon again, when the Leader of the Opposition associated her comments with the Prime Minister's remarks, particularly with regard to our moves to list the IRCG as a terrorist organisation and the swift actions that we took when those revelations were made yesterday. We saw a glimpse of it yesterday; sadly, it didn't last. The Prime Minister today in question time outlined the actions that this government has taken with regard to combating and addressing rising antisemitism. But it's worth repeating them, particularly now, and it's worth in particular repeating the Prime Minister's mention of the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism.”
“I know the member for Berowra and shadow Attorney-General remembers that. We stood together to condemn the hate speech of a particular senator, which I won't repeat, and I won't repeat his name because he's not deserving of that. That was deeply offensive, not just to Jewish Australians but to anybody who has in their lives been a target of hate. That moment is seared in my memory because, as a new member of parliament at that time, as a person of colour and as a Muslim, it showed that we are stronger when we take a bipartisan stance against antisemitism and hatred—when we stand together. It showed me, as a new person in this place, that there are things that are above politics, and it confirmed to me that racism and hatred should never, ever be weaponised for political ends and that we can rise above that in this place.”
“Some of the members who argued that back in 2016 are still in this House today—whether or not they continue to hold those views, I don't know. It was this side of the House, the Labor members, including many who sit here with me today, who stood against their attempts to water down the very mechanism that today affords Australians protection against the serious harms and effects of racism, bigotry and antisemitism. It was us who stood up against the removal of section 18C from the Racial Discrimination Act. We did that, and we stopped them from watering down those laws. I'm also reminded that not long after that debate, something happened, and it's seared in my memory because not long after that both sides came together to condemn the hate speech of a particular senator.”
“I do just want to take a moment to thank the member for bringing this MPI and for the opportunity to speak on this important issue. With respect, though, this, of course, is not the first time, and, sadly, I imagine it's not the last time that we will be speaking about antisemitism as well as other forms of racism in this place. In fact, I am reminded of one of my very first debates when I was first elected to this House in 2016. For the new members on both this side and opposite, I thought I might remind people that that was the debate on the removal of section 18C from the Racial Discrimination Act. I'll remind those opposite, who were in government at the time, that they argued that people have a right to be bigots. I'll remind those opposite that they argued that offence was taken, not given.”
“On behalf of the people of Cowan—and I speak for each and every person in Cowan—thank you, Jack, for your service, for your leadership and for the legacy that you're leaving. Jack's story is one that deserves to be told again and again and again, not just because it's remarkable but because it reflects the best of who we are as Australians.”
“What ' s H appening magazine, which is a City of Wanneroo local publication, features his story on the front cover. I must say, when I received my copy of What's H appening , the first thing I did was ring Jack Le Cras and say, 'Hey, great photo of the front of What's Happening .' And the City of Stirling hosted a morning tea in Jack's honour. Jack was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, a timely and fitting recognition for a life of dedication, service and community spirit. Sadly, in September, Jack's going to retire from organising all these commemorative events, and he will be sadly missed. But he's marking his 99th birthday and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II—two huge milestones for Jack.”
“He's shared stories, some solemn and others full of that characteristic Jack Le Cras humour—like the time he and 47 fellow sailors, each with just two bullets and no water, were sent on foot to secure a Japanese town, only to arrive and find that the Americans had already been there for days with bulldozers and trucks. So they put their rifles down in a local shop and spent two hours sightseeing instead. That's Jack—humble, resilient and always with a twinkle in his eye. Jack has also been a driving force behind commemorative services in Cowan for as long as I've been the member. Every year, he's coordinating, leading, honouring the fallen and reminding all of us why these moments matter. This year, both the City of Wanneroo and the City of Stirling have rightly recognised Jack for his extraordinary contributions.”
“It's wonderful to see you in the chair, Deputy Speaker Mascarenhas. I would like to pay tribute to a remarkable Australian, a true local legend and someone who has dedicated nearly a century of his life to service both to his country and to our community. I'm speaking, of course, of Jack Le Cras. Jack Le Cras is one of the few living Australians who served in the Royal Australian Navy during the Second World War, and, at just 19 years old, he was on board the USS Missouri when Japan formally surrendered in 1945, making him one of the few Australians to witness the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. But Jack's service didn't end there. After the war, he continued to serve, playing a key role in the recovery of prisoners of war in Japan.”
“They comprise female led businesses—around 35 per cent are female led—and 40 per cent on average are led by migrants, people who are aspirational, who come to this country and who see starting up a small business as a way of making a life for themselves and for their families. Small businesses employ more than five million Australians, and they contribute more than $590 billion to our nation's economy every single year. I'll remind the member opposite that this is the government that, last term, introduced the very first National Small Business Strategy, which guides the ways in which we will work with state and local governments to address those issues for small business.”
“I thank the member opposite for his question, because it gives me an opportunity to really talk about small business—something that I'm passionate about and something that the members on this side of the House are all passionate about as well. As I said yesterday, small businesses operate right across the country. They are everyone from your local Indian grocer to your hairdresser and the place that you go to get your lunch. I'm pleased to report that, since we took office, since this Albanese Labor government took office in 2022, there are 800,000 more new small businesses operating right across Australia.”
“They are the keys that unlock a future made in Australia, for Australia and by Australians. This government will continue to back them, just as they back Australia.”
“I want to report to the House that last week I hosted a small business economic roundtable here at Parliament House. I charged those present to be bold and assertive in the recommendations that they will give us, to help us guide our reform agenda. I asked them to consider and to bring forth ideas and solutions for both incremental and structural change to ensure that small businesses are considered not as an afterthought but as being at the heart of our decision-making—as one of the participants put it, 'built in, not bolted on'. I've heard from small businesses and their representatives across a diversity of sectors: manufacturing, hospitality, building, farming and retail. Although they're diverse, their message is loud and clear: small businesses matter, economically and socially.”
“In our first term, we set out the key priorities for small business. To ease the pressure on them, to support small businesses to grow and to level the playing field, we delivered over $2 billion in targeted supports for small businesses, and we released the very first National Small Business Strategy. We extended the instant asset write-off, and we provided energy bill relief to small businesses. This term we're going to continue to build on that record. We're going to further extend the instant asset write-off so that small businesses can invest in the equipment that they need to sustain and to grow. We've committed to tax cuts that will benefit 1½ million sole traders, and we'll continue to work with states and territories to implement the small business strategy.”
“I thank the member for McEwen for his question and welcome him back to this place to continue serving the people of McEwen. Small businesses are in every town and every city, right across the country. They're your local Indian grocer, your hairdresser, your carer, your cleaner, your dentist, your sparky, your caterer and the place you go to get your best kebabs or banh mi. They're not just the engine room of our economy; they are indeed the heart of our communities. They sponsor kids' sporting teams, they support local jobs and they help communities recover from disasters. I'm pleased to report to the House that, since we first came into office in 2022, under this Albanese Labor government there are now more than 800,000 new small businesses. They employ more than five million people. They contribute more than $590 billion to our economy.”
“And this is how you risk it: you risk it by voting for an opposition that has no vision, no plan and no policy. While we're reforming education to build a better future for the next generation, the opposition want to keep the next generation paying for their $600 billion nuclear fantasy. (Time expired)”
“And we've dedicated $1 billion to grow early childhood education services in areas where they're needed, including rural, regional and outer suburbs, to be run by high-quality not-for-profit service providers. But we know there's more to do, and that is why we have commissioned a service delivery price to inform our future reform. I'm asked about risks. Well, today the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods confirms that around two-thirds of all Australians, led by single-parent families and middle-income families, have gained up to $2½ thousand through our tax cuts, child care and parental leave since the Albanese Labor government came into office. That's real money—real money into the pockets of families—and that is how you do cost-of-living relief. That is how you do it.”
“Workforce, of course, underpins the reforms we want to make in early childhood education and care. We introduced reforms to stabilise and grow the workforce. Our 15 per cent pay rise, I'm pleased to say, now has applications that cover around 80 per cent of the early childhood education workforce. And we have a $72 million workforce package, as well as our fee-free TAFE, helping to grow that sector. Because of these actions, we now have 41,900 more educators in the sector. But it doesn't stop there. Recently, we changed the Liberals' prohibitive activity test, replacing that with a three-day guarantee of subsidised care. That means 70,000 families will save $1,370 in the first year alone.”
“I thank the wonderful member for Corangamite for her question. The member for Corangamite has demonstrated her commitment to children and families in her electorate by backing in every single one of our cost-of-living measures, whether that's on health, whether that's on tax relief or whether, indeed, that's on early childhood education and care. In our first term of government we've made progress towards our vision of a simple, affordable and accessible early childhood education and care system. On affordability, our cheaper child care reduced the out-of-pocket costs for early childhood education and care by 17 per cent when it was first introduced. That means that a family on $120,000 is $2,768 better off because of this government. We're building on that by putting in fee caps as well.”
“This work will be informed by expert advice and the recent and comprehensive reviews that we have commissioned, including from the ACCC, the Productivity Commission and ACECQA. Finally, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the wonderful, talented and dedicated professionals who educate and care for children right across Australia. Thank you for the important work that you do; you are changing lives. You are changing the lives of children every day, and nothing could be more important.”
“All actions are on track, including the national model code and guidelines which were released last year to embed child-safe practices around the use of electronic devices. From September this year, important regulatory changes will come into effect, including a reduction in notification timeframes for reporting incidences or allegations of physical or sexual abuse from seven days to 24 hours and a new requirement for services to have policies and procedures relating to the safe use of digital technologies including the use of CCTV. We'll continue to work with states and territories, the early childhood education sector and families as we undertake our significant reforms in this vital sector.”
“The Commonwealth are committed to doing our bit with the levers that are available to us, and I expect state and territory governments to uphold their regulatory responsibilities in ensuring that providers and services in their jurisdictions comply with the National Quality Framework. Last week, I wrote to the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority, ACECQA, and requested that they provide urgent advice to all education ministers on what can be done to strengthen the National Quality Framework. This advice will build on ACECQA's comprehensive child safety review, commissioned by the Minister for Education Jason Clare and myself in 2023. In February last year, education ministers agreed in principle to all recommendations under that review, acknowledging that some fall outside of the remit of education.”
“We will commence consultation immediately with state and territory governments, regulatory authorities and the sector to work through the policy detail to ensure that these measures are appropriately designed and targeted to meet the objective of removing the small number of bad providers while we continue to support growth in the sector and support families. The early childhood education sector is important for children, it's an essential service for families and it's vital to our economy. The Albanese government will do everything in our power to protect children, to improve quality in the sector and to ensure that the workforce is supported.”
“This includes conducting checks at childcare subsidy approved early childhood education and care services to confirm that children they are claiming funding for are actually attending the service. We'll give authorised officers more powers to be able to do their job by allowing them to perform spot checks and unannounced visits to detect fraud and noncompliance. Unfortunately, we know that when a dodgy operator is detected and removed from one part of the national care economy they sometimes pop up as an operator in another care sector. To stamp this out, we'll investigate stronger cross-sector banning order arrangements to stop people who have breached safety and quality standards in one part of the care economy from opening a new service in any of the other care sectors.”
“We also want to ensure our wonderful early childhood educators and teachers are not being taken advantage of by the small number of providers who are doing the wrong thing, and we will look to strengthen our powers to crack down on dodgy providers that pose an integrity risk. We expect staff to be fairly compensated for the valuable work they do and we will take action against any provider that is not fairly paying their staff. We will make paying staff correctly and on time a condition of services to access childcare subsidy funding. We will also look to strengthen our powers to crack down on dodgy providers that pose an integrity risk to the childcare subsidy system.”