Ms ROXON (9:40 AM) —I present a petition relating to child care, which has been signed by 1,090 people across New South Wales. I table a second petition, which also relates to child care, which has been signed by 997 people across Queensland. These petitions deal with an important issue. Such large numbers of community members have signed these petitions because of the great concern in the community about inadequate funding in the child-care area.

The petition from Queensland relates to a decision by this government to slash $500,000 from the training budget for Queensland child-care workers. It is a cause of great concern that the specialist training that was provided under that program is not going to be available to many child-care centres, particularly in rural and regional Queensland. The Queensland trainers are particularly concerned that they will not be getting the support and information that their colleagues across the country will be receiving.

The second petition on child care is signed mostly by parents and child-care workers in New South Wales who are concerned, in particular, about the low status and standing of those working in the child-care field. I urge the House to pay serious attention to these petitions. It is very important that the views of thousands of parents across the country be heard. People believe that, by petitioning the parliament, the matter can be raised further, the government will pay attention to their views, we will be able to move forward in this debate and, particularly in relation to the decision to slash $500,000 from the Queensland child-care budget, the money will be reinstated. We understand that during this budget process there is an opportunity for that to happen. We urge that it does happen. We urge that the government pay serious attention to looking at any way in which it can participate in raising the status, standing, and pay and conditions of child-care workers across the country.

The petitions read as follows—

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives assembled in Parliament:

This petition of citizens of Australia draws the attention of the House to our serious concerns about the current child care system, particularly the low status and standing of workers in the child care field and their appalling wages and conditions. This is despite numerous reports about this issue that the Federal Government has ignored. Qualified child care workers are needed to run quality child care services for our children - our country's most precious resource - and urgent action is required in order to recruit and retain staff in this industry.

Your petitioners therefore request that the House turns its urgent attention to addressing the chronic stage of qualified workers in the industry and ensuring they are given adequate recognition and reward for their important role in caring for our children.

from 1,090 citizens.

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives assembled in Parliament:

This petition of citizens of Australia draws the attention of the House to the decision not to provide In-Service Provider training funds to Queensland childcare services. Our opposition to this decision is based on the following—

· The Government has singled out Queensland from any other state by halving by $500,000 in childcare in-service training funds.

· Childcare workers across Queensland will not have the same access to in-service training as in other states;

· This decision is also of concern to children and families across the State who are using child care services;

· The Government should not be able to axe funding to a program that is currently under review.

Your petitioners therefore request that the House turn its urgent attention to:

1. Seek an urgent review of this decision.

2. To reinstate in-service training funds to Queensland childcare services.

3. To adequately fund the following Queensland childcare training and resource organisations - Lady Gowrie Queensland; QCOSS - Child Care Management Training and Support Unit; Family Day Care Association Queensland Inc,; and. Queensland Children's Activities Network QCAN Inc. to deliver ongoing quality in-service training to all Queensland childcare services.

from 997 citizens.