6. KATHERINE RICH (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
Does he stand by his statement that “86,000 children will definitely get 20 free hours under Labour”; if so, in what time frame will this be achieved?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister of Labour) Link to this
Yes. Based on current enrolments of 3 and 4-year-olds in teacher-led early childhood centres, Labour’s policy of 20 free hours will definitely be available for up to 92,000 children—more than 86,000—from 1 July. Further, the Minister stands by his statement made prior to the last election that 86,000 children will be worse off under National’s plan to axe the 20 hours’ free policy.
Can the Minister understand why parents are confused about how many kids will actually receive 20 hours’ free early childhood education, when he told them, pre-election, that 92,000 children would “definitely get 20 hours under Labour”, then said “up to 92,000 will get 20 free hours”, and only yesterday said “potentially 92,000 children will get 20 free hours”; which is it, because there is a world of difference in those statements?
I can understand anyone’s confusion, if he or she listened to that member. There is no confusion in knowing that every single child would be worse off under a National-led Government.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Does the Minister sometimes think, as he works his way through the complexities of the 20 hours’ free education policy—particularly with regard to the for-profit sector—that he cannot help but conclude he was thrown a huge hospital pass by his predecessor, Trevor Mallard?
No, because any opportunity to improve access to early childhood education, which is what our Government is committed to, is worthwhile for the engagement with that part of the sector.
Dianne YatesHas the Minister received any information about how many 3 and 4-year-olds would receive 20 hours’ free early childhood education under a National Government?
Yes, I have. The answer is, not one single child. The National Party’s policy, as set out clearly on its website, is to scrap 20 hours’ free early childhood education.
Gerry BrownleeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I want to point out that the Minister had no ministerial responsibility in the context of the question asked, but I realise that to do so would be a waste of time. The reality is that one cannot scrap a policy that cannot be implemented. There is nothing for National to scrap, because Labour is not doing anything.
Can the Minister answer the question that every parent wants to know the answer to, which is whether it will be that 92,000 children will “definitely get 20 hours under Labour”, that “up to 92,000 will get 20 free hours”, or, as the Minister said yesterday, “potentially 92,000 children will get 20 free hours”—which is it?
Actually, “up to” and “potentially” mean exactly the same thing. I clarify for the member, who seems to be the only confused person in the country, that Labour’s 20 hours’ free policy will be available to 3 and 4-year-olds in all teacher-led early childhood education centres from 1 July this year.
When some centres are planning to charge top-up donations, which will basically be compulsory fees if parents want their kids to be in that centre, how can 20 hours’ free education be free if they are not free, or is that just loony Labour Government logic?
This has been explained to the member previously, but I will try to do so once more because she clearly remains confused. The key rule is that parents cannot be charged for 20 hours’ free early childhood education. That is the key part of the meaning of “free”.
Paula BennettWhat does the Minister say to centres that need to insist on a voluntary parental payment just to cover costs, and are very concerned that these payments do not provide enough security of income to run a centre?
I would say to those centres that they would be very, very unlikely to get any increased funding from a National Government, as would parents, who would not gain one scrap, because not one single child would have any free early childhood education under that member’s policy. The subsidy will cover all operating costs, including teachers’ salaries, administrations costs, professional services, utilities, capital and property costs such as rent or mortgage, and the repayment and replacement of assets.