QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WALSH (Victoria—Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth) (15:10): Great question, Senator Stewart, and thank you for all your advocacy on behalf of Indigenous Australians and all Australians. We do have good news to celebrate when it comes to helping First Nations children access the benefits of quality early education. More than 95 per cent of First Nations children are now enrolled in preschool, and there has been improvement in every state and territory.

What that means is that, together, we have met for the first time Closing the Gap target 3. It is a landmark achievement because quality early learning does give children a great start in life. It helps them arrive at school ready to thrive.

We know there's more to do, but this achievement really shows what is possible when governments listen to First Nations communities and work in genuine partnership with them. I was really proud to mark this achievement alongside Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator McCarthy. I recently joined Minister McCarthy at Garma on Yolngu country.

There we listened to communities. We heard their ambitions for their children, and our government is backing that ambition. With Labor's three-day guarantee, every family now has access to at least three days of child care subsidy each week, and First Nations children can access five days.

This has been a game changer. The data shows us that more First Nations children are using early learning as a result, more children are getting the opportunity to learn and grow in their early years, and more parents are getting the practical support they need to make life work and to build a strong future. It was First Nations communities who advocated to make it possible, and we have listened.

The PRESIDENT: Senator Stewart, first supplementary?