To the Honourable the President and Members of the Senate in Parliament assembled.

The Petition of the certain residents of the State of Tasmania draws to the attention of the Senate that:

1. The coalition's decision to means test the Childcare Cash Rebate discriminates against working parents and is a breach of a pre-election promise, where the Coalition's Policy clearly stated "We are committed to maintaining a non means tested Childcare Cash Rebate";

2. The Coalition's decision to abolish operational subsidies for community based long day care centres will result in these centres having to charge higher fees, which will again discriminate against working parents; and

3. The Coalition's changes to the income test for Childcare Assistance will mean that the majority of parents pay far more in increased child care costs than provided through the Family Tax Initiative.

Your Petitioners request that the Senate:

1. exert pressure on Members of the Coalition to reverse the outcomes of the 1996 Federal Budget in relation to child care;

2. hold Members of the Coalition to their pre-election commitments to retain the former system of child care; and

3. vote against legislation given effect to these changes which are to the detriment of Australian families.