(1) What sum has the Government allocated to each community based child care centre in the electoral division of Prospect in 1999-2000.

(2) Is this level of funding a decrease or an increase on previous years' funding for each centre.

(3) What will be the level of funding for each child care centre in the electoral division of Prospect in 2000-01.

(4) According to current needs based planning, which suburbs in western Sydney have the greatest need for child care facilities.

(5) In which suburbs of Sydney has there been the highest rate of growth in the child care sector.

(6) What is the average family income in Sydney suburbs which have received the highest sum in child care funding in 1999-2000.

(7) Will the Minister extend needs based planning controls after the current allocation period finishes on 31 December 1999; if not, why not.

(1) (2) (3) (5) and (6) The detailed information required to answer the honourable member's question is not readily available in a consolidated form. To collect and assemble such information solely for the purpose of answering the honourable member's question would be a major task and I am not prepared to authorise the expenditure of resources and effort that would be involved.

(4) According to the latest high need area determination (July 1999) which determines the type of care required by location, the suburbs in western Sydney that have been identified as requiring additional care are:

. Parramatta - for centre based long day care, baby care only (0 - 18 months old);

. Baulkham Hills - for Before & After School Hours Care and Vacation Care only.

(7) I have not sought to extend the legislation limiting new centre based long day care places that expired on 31 December 1999. It was not extended because the limit of 7,000 places was not met in either year of the supply limit period. With demand being well met in many areas, growth in new places is expected to be steady over the next few years. The Government is keen to ensure that new growth is well targeted and therefore will be working closely with local government and other key sectors to encourage the establishment of services only in areas of high need. We are closely monitoring trends in the sector and if necessary have the capacity under the family assistance legislation, currently before Parliament, to reintroduce a supply limit for long day care centres. The legislation will take effect from 1 July 2000.