Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House to the change in application by the Federal Government of the Inclusion Support Subsidy, leading to reduced funding to support the participation of disabled and additional needs children in a kindergarten program as part of their day care.  The subsidy is often used by day care services, especially for higher needs children, to employ an aide to assist with the child's functioning and interaction with other children. Without this necessary funding, day care services will have to turn away children from their kindergarten program. The effects of this decision will be disastrous for Queensland families and will severely undermine equity of access to a quality early childhood education.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to urge the Federal Minister for Early Childhood and Childcare, the Hon Kate Ellis MP, to immediately reverse this decision and reinstate Inclusion Support Subsidy funding for this purpose.