(1)   Does the Department of Family and Community Affairs (FACS) have a database identifying areas in Australia where there are (a) insufficient child care services and (b) an oversupply of child care services; if so, (a) how often is it updated, (b) is the information provided to (i) existing child care providers and (ii) prospective child care providers, and (iii) any other persons or organisations (other than FACS officials).

(2)   Does FACS analyse raw data on shortages or surpluses for any particular area, or does it simply collect and supply raw data where appropriate.

(3)   Will the Minister provide copies of the analyses done for all areas over the last 2 years.

(4)   Will the Minister explain the process by which persons or organisations may obtain unpublished data kept by FACS that indicate undersupply and oversupply of child care services, in particular, do they (a) have to apply in writing; if, not, how may they apply, (b) have to pay a fee, and (c) need to establish anything about themselves or their objective, before receiving any information.

(5)   Have any requests for information on child care oversupply or undersupply by service providers or prospective providers been refused in the last 3 years; if so, (a) how many times, (b) why was the request refused, and (c) were reasons for the refusal given.

(6)   Do any child care providers listed on the stock exchange receive demographic or market information kept by FACS (a) automatically; if so, when and on what basis, (b) regularly; if so, when and how often, and (c) on any basis different from that of non-ASX listed providers.

(7)   Is there any evidence that oversupply or undersupply of child care services in areas of Australia has a correlation to the average income in that area; if so, what is the relationship.

(1)   and (2) The Department monitors ongoing requests for outside school hours care and family day care places. This information is taken into account by Planning Advisory Committees to allocate places. The Australian Government does not limit Long Day Care services of the number of places.

(3)   Not applicable.

(4)   Population and places data is readily available from the Department. (a) Requests for information may be in any form; (b) no fee is payable; (c) there is no requirement for applicants to establish anything about themselves before receiving population and places data.

(5)   Not applicable. (6)   (a) No. (b) No. (c) No.

(6) (a)   No. (b) No. (c) No.

(7)   Not applicable.