The Hon Maxine McKew MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Child Care
8 June, 2009
Media release
Portfolio Change
I am delighted to be taking on the challenge of the new role of Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
There is no more important task than keeping Australians working through this global recession given its impact on the living standards of many of our allies and major trading partners.
The Rudd Government’s $42 billion Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan has made the largest single investment in community infrastructure in the nation’s history. My new role concentrates on this important area and I look forward to working with Minister Anthony Albanese in the portfolio.
Together we will be working to keep Australians working – today and tomorrow - with infrastructure that builds our productivity and competitiveness.
I would like to thank those in the early childhood education and child care sector for their help and support since 2007. We have achieved much together, including:
- delivering more affordable child care to 800,000 Australian families by lifting the Child Care Tax Rebate from 30 to 50 per cent of out of pocket costs
- committing $970 million over the next five years to deliver universal access to preschool
- investing $126.6 million over four years in higher qualifications for the early education workforce
announcing arrangements for 23 of 38 priority Early Learning and Care Centres across Australia.
With COAG’s agreement, a national quality agenda including the important new national standard, a quality ratings system, streamlined regulatory arrangements, and an evidence-based national Early Years Learning Framework will be rolled out from next month.
It has been a privilege to work beside Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, whose strength, leadership and guidance through challenges like the ABC Learning collapse has been invaluable.
The elevation of early childhood education to a ministerial level, under Minister Kate Ellis, will further advance the Rudd Government’s commitment to children in the all-important first five years of life.