QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WALSH (Victoria—Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth) (15:13): We should celebrate this milestone and do more to ensure that First Nations children are supported to develop, thrive and be ready for school. We know what works—early-learning centres that are community led, that are culturally safe and that are trusted by families.

I saw that in Derby where I met Rowena Mouda and the Nganga women. For years, they ran playgroups in local parks and halls for children to play and learn together, but they wanted more. They had a vision for a permanent home and a quality early-learning centre.

We listened and we backed them. Our government is investing $9 million from our Building Early Education Fund towards a new service operated by those very women, the Nganga women, and we'll invest in more ACCO led services like this too, because this is how we close the gap. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Stewart, second supplementary?