Senator CHRIS EVANS —My question is directed to Senator Newman, in her capacity as Minister representing the Minister for Defence. Is the minister aware that the Defence Force child-care centre in Perth, the Sunny Child Care Centre, which serves the families of the personnel of the SAS barracks at Swanbourne, is having its child-care places cut, from 47 to 28 from January next year, as part of a privatisation program? Isn't it the case that the centre serves the families of Swanbourne barracks personnel serving with the multinational forces in East Timor? Why was the number of places reduced and can the minister guarantee that defence families will not lose access to child-care services as a result of these measures?

Senator NEWMAN (Family and Community Services; Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women) —I am not a Western Australian senator, but I visited the child-care centre at Swanbourne a number of years ago. I have no idea why there is any cut, if there is any, and I suggest to you that it may be a matter for the local authorities. It could be local government or the Army. I have not heard any information that Defence or my department are involved in that. I will get information for you, Senator.

Senator CHRIS EVANS —Madam President, I ask a supplementary question. I appreciate the minister seeking some information, and I assure her that my information is accurate. Wasn't the original justification for Defence Force child care to ensure that Defence Force families, in times of emergency when service personnel may be overseas on active duty, had access to respite care and additional services because of the stress placed on families? My concern and the concern of the residents is that that not be reduced. I would like to know what measures have been put in place to ensure that those families continue to get the same access and the same service that they have had in recent years when the government has cut the places that are available at these centres.

Senator NEWMAN (Family and Community Services; Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women) —I have already made it clear that I do not know who made the cuts in places. I agree that respite assistance for people whose extended family is on the other side of the continent is important, but I also remind the Senate that it was a very slow Labor government that came to support child care in defence establishments. As the shadow minister for defence science and personnel, I spent a very long time trying to sensitise the previous government to the needs of defence families. I will certainly get you an answer, and I support the general principle that you are talking about, but as to why there are any changes in the places, I do not know.

Senator Chris Evans —Because you are privatising it!

Senator NEWMAN —Oh, come away! We're not privatising it.