12. HEATHER ROY (Deputy Leader—ACT) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What, if any, advice did his officials provide him following their “in-depth” discussions with petitioners Amy Malcolm and others who are calling on the Government to honour Labour’s election promise that “20 hours free education will be provided for three and four-year-olds at any licensed teacher-led service in New Zealand from July 2007”; and what has he done to assure himself that the concerns of Amy Malcolm and others regarding the promised 20 hours free policy have been allayed?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education) Link to this
My officials have advised me that they have explained to Ms Malcolm that the 20 hours’ free early childhood education policy is aimed at currently enrolled 3 to 4-year-olds and that as more services and teachers come on stream we will be able to expand the number of children who can access this outstandingly good policy. Indeed, I would point out that since Ms Malcolm and the other persons alongside her began their petition, of course the number of providers in her area has risen substantially. Hopefully, more children are now getting into those centres.
Does the Minister understand the difference between subsidising 3 and 4-year-olds, and making this scheme free, as was promised by Labour; if he does, what is the difference?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The member would know from reading the material on this policy that 20 hours’ free early childhood education applies to that regulated level of education that we are paying for. As the booklet shows, if there are additional services that a centre wishes to provide, like taking children out on trips to expand their experiences, then that centre can establish an optional charge for those services.
Rodney HideWhy does he not just admit what the rest of the country already knows—that Labour’s promise of free education for 3 and 4-year-olds was an election year lie?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The Government is carrying out the promise of putting in place a 20 hours free early childhood education policy. As the member opposite knows, this is extremely popular, and if he wishes to revive his own fortunes at the next election he may like to get on board with this outstanding policy.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. It is not so many days ago that we were regaled with a code of conduct and Mr Hide started doing a somersault and became the leader of the code of conduct for parliamentarians. Yet today he gets up and accuses parliamentarians of lying. What is to be, Rodney?
I might—and I know I have to do this constantly with the Rt Hon Winston Peters—remind the member of the Standing Orders. My supplementary question was perfectly in order and I actually did not do what he accused me of. Maybe Mr Peters is getting to an age where he struggles to follow proceedings.
Madam SPEAKERI think we should just leave it there. They are not points of order. [ Interruption] There will be order if members wish to stay in the Chamber. They are not points of order. The member asked his question and it was responded to by the Minister. As to any other comments, I am sure the public will make up its own mind.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Now there you go, Madam Speaker. I was talking about the code of conduct. I remind Mr Hide that the first sign of ageing is that you grow through your hair.
Dianne YatesWhat other responses has the Minister seen to Labour’s 20 free hours’ early childhood education policy?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I have seen a statement from the New Zealand Educational Institute, which represents thousands of early childhood education teachers, saying: “We are delighted to see the increasing numbers of quality centres deciding to opt in to the opportunity that 20 hours’ free early childhood education will offer from 1 July.”, because it can see that it is a much better deal than anything else on offer for families. I can only imagine that the New Zealand Educational Institute has taken one look at the Government’s policy and one look at National’s absent policy and it knows where it is well off.