SARAH CUMMING:
Gold Coast’s federal politicians have been enjoying some cooler weather back in Canberra with Federal Parliament returning this week, the first sitting week of the year. Member for Moncrieff, Angie Bell is there and joins us on the line this morning. Hello Angie.
A tranche of secret documents demonstrates Labor Ministers have been deliberately using misleading data about Australia’s childcare workforce in media statements and in the Parliament. When confronted with their lie, instead of accepting responsibility, they pathetically tried to blame Hansard for missing a dash.
The Albanese Government has today released another report into the child care sector, kicking their formal response down the road and dragging their feet on action. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s 2023 review into the child care sector was formally released today, with the Albanese Government citing they would formally respond to the review’s findings and recommendations in six months’ time.
STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:
The Aus debate continues and you know, we were talking to Nic Hayes from Media Stable earlier this morning and he said, ‘You know, when is this merry go round gonna finish? And when are we going to stop having this debate? We need to change the date just so we can stop having the argument.’ Well, to me that’s not a good enough reason. But maybe the way we stop this debate is by stop indoctrinating our kids so that eventually we end up with a generation that doesn’t hate Australia.
BEN FORDHAM:
Some child care centres have been accused of politicising classrooms, kids as young as five being made to feel ashamed about Australia. We mentioned yesterday SDN Children’s Services in the ACT now recites an acknowledgement of country on a daily basis, and they teach students that Australia is built on stolen land. Now keep in mind we’re talking about kids at preschool.
January 26 is an important day in our nation’s calendar. It’s a day where Australians come together to celebrate the success of our nation, our traditions, and welcome new members to the Australian family.
TOM CONNELL:
A new report has found a lack of regional child care services still has parents choiceless. The Parenthood report has revealed childhood education and care services are limited to non-existent in regional areas. That means children are missing out on educational, social and health benefits and parents, of course, many of them can’t re-enter the workforce or can’t get the number of days they want to. The report has called for change to back better access.
GREG JENNETT:
All right, time now for our political panel, and joining us we have here in the studio, Labor frontbencher Anthony Chisholm, welcome back Anthony. And from Queensland, LNP frontbencher Angie Bell is with us and she’s in Brisbane, I believe, welcome to you Angie.
JULIE CLIFT:
4 million Australians have already voted in The Voice to Parliament referendum. Millions of others are set to follow suit at the polls in just 48 hours.
The lack of action by the state and federal governments for the ticking time bomb that is the infestation of fire ants across the premier tourism destination of the Gold Coast is jaw-dropping.