Vanessa Mills: Late last year the Federal Government introduced legislation that they claimed would make child care more simple, affordable, and flexible. Yesterday this program heard from the National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care association, who said the legislation was far from simple and that it would have a significant impact on low-income families. [Excerpt]…
DetailsQuestion: Simon, does this report dictate that our education system's letting people down Simon Birmingham: There are real concerns about the quality that we're getting in terms of literacy and numeracy outcomes from students, which is why as a Government we've really focused on how we lift teacher quality, parental engagement and content of the national…
DetailsKieran Gilbert: Joining me now the Education Minister Simon Birmingham live from Adelaide. Senator Birmingham thank you for joining us for the first time this year, it’s good to see you. First of all, your thoughts on these talks at the White House; how significant for a new Prime Minister meeting with President Obama at…
DetailsNesha O'Neil [Australian Childcare Alliance]: Welcome to Top Ryde Early Learning, we're delighted to be able to be hosting our Local Member John Alexander and the Federal Minister for Early Childhood Simon Birmingham to talk about their second round of the Early Learning Language Applications Program. It's been a fantastic program here at the service.…
DetailsMichael McLaren: As I said, regarding languages – the study of languages is declining. I think it’s a shame to see that. The number of students taking on a second language has significantly fallen in the last 50 years from 40 per cent of year 12 students to just 12 per cent today. It’s a…
DetailsSIMON BIRMINGHAM: Child care costs are a real problem, which is why our Government has taken it seriously, gone through a proper process of getting the Productivity Commission to analyse all of the factors in the child care system. And we are perusing the most comprehensive reforms to child care funding and support that the…
DetailsSIMON BIRMINGHAM: I’m pleased to announce today that the Government’s crackdown on those who are seeking to rort our child care system is paying dividends, that our changes last year to what is known as the child swapping practice where family day care providers swap children with another family day care provider to claim tax payer…
DetailsSarah Dingle: Well, it’s bad news for any Australians with student loans living overseas. As of 1 January this year, new rules have meant that graduates who live and work abroad while owing money on government loans must register with the Tax Office. And once they earn more than $54,000 Australian per year, they’ll have…
DetailsLaura Jayes: Joining me now is the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, from Adelaide. Senator, thanks so much for your time. Can I first ask you about these developments across Indonesia? How concerning is it for Australia? Simon Birmingham: Well good morning, Laura. Of course it’s always concerning but equally we should…
DetailsPeter Van Onselen: Joining me now as promised off the top of the program, he’s the Minister for Education as well as Training, Senator Simon Birmingham joining me live from Adelaide. Thanks very much for your company. Simon Birmingham: G’day Peter. Good to be with you. Peter Van Onselen: Let’s just go straight to your portfolio…
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