Interview - SKY News
PETER STEFANOVIC, HOST: Anthony Albanese has pledged to build 160 new childcare centres if he is re-elected at the next election. The move would cost taxpayers roughly $1 billion, but the PM plans to allocate half of that funding for grants to childcare operators to build the centres. Joining us live now is Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly. Anne thank you so much for your time this morning. So, the Opposition isn't going to budge on this, though. It doesn't want to support it because it softens the activity test. What are your thoughts on that position?
MINISTER ANNE ALY: I think if the Opposition wants to improve access for children in rural and regional areas and in outer suburbs, they will back this in. This is about this government stepping in where the market has failed. We know that we have a great early childhood education system as far as quality goes. We know that early childhood education is super-duper important for children in those first five years of brain development. But we also know that there are children who are missing out and they're missing out because the market isn't going to places where it is either unprofitable or it's just not feasible for them to operate. And so, the government needs to be able to build services and build centres where the market won't.
STEFANOVIC: Yeah. Also, for those, you know, the costs are out of reach for parents, so many of them too. Now, on the finances of it all, though, Jane Hume points to the fact that there are these new subsidies that are being proposed, plus there are the extra subsidies for wages, for staff. Is there a ceiling to what the country can afford here?
ALY: Look, I think this is about investing in our most precious asset, our youngest Australians. Early childhood education is education. Anyone with children knows in those first five years, children are like sponges. They're absorbing everything. And early childhood education, the data is clear, the evidence is clear. It makes a difference. It makes a difference in a child's life, not just in those first five years, but in transition to school, right through their schooling and right into their adult life. And I think, you know, when we choose what we want to invest in, saying that we're investing in our youngest Australians is a no brainer.
STEFANOVIC: Yep, I would agree with that, having seen it firsthand with a couple of kids in childcare at the moment. Anyway, just while I've still got you, Minister, this vote is taking place at the United Nations now. It's on a ceasefire as well as funding for UNRWA. If you vote for both here, do you do so knowing that you'll offend the Jewish community and quite possibly Benjamin Netanyahu again?
ALY: Look, I think the Jewish community here in Australia is not the Israeli government. And I think we need to be very clear on separating the two. Separating the two from the actions of the Israeli government and particularly with what is going on at the moment within Gaza. And the humanitarian rights of innocent people in Gaza to have access to vital aid. The humanitarian rights of people in Gaza and in Israel to live peacefully and our responsibility as part of a global community to vote in accordance with a pathway that will bring peace in the region. The Jewish people here in Australia are not the Israeli government. We need to separate the two.
STEFANOVIC: Trouble is, you can't have peace with Hamas.
ALY: Well, no. Well, that's part of the ceasefire agreement. Let's first make that very clear. The ceasefire agreement is not unconditional. It is about release of the hostages. And that's what Australia has consistently voted for. Consistently voted for a ceasefire with the condition of the release of the hostages. Consistently voted for a two-state solution which brings peace to both the Israeli people, peace and security to people in Israel and peace and security to people in Palestine.
STEFANOVIC: Wouldn't Hamas just rebuild though and take over Gaza again, then launch more attacks down the track?
ALY: Well, I think the Israeli government has said that it's made significant progress in eradicating Hamas from Gaza. Remember that Hamas operates in Gaza. There is a different authority that operates in the West Bank as well. I think a big part of what the international community needs to do is also to look at what are the governance structures in Gaza and in and in the Palestinian - other Palestinian territories in the West Bank in order to bring about a lasting peace.
STEFANOVIC: Just a final one here, locally. Should the Labor Party preference the Greens last at the upcoming federal election?
ALY: Look, preference deals are above my pay grade. It's not something that I have any kind of hand in. That'll be something that's up to the powers that be and when the time comes.
STEFANOVIC: Alright, Anne Aly, appreciate your time this morning. Thank you. We'll talk to you again soon.