Malcolm Turnbull’s childcare plan for Australian families

THE FEDERAL Government’s child care reforms designed to help stay at home mums get back into the workforce will be revealed today.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture; AAP

THE FEDERAL Government’s child care reforms designed to help stay at home mums get back into the workforce will be tied to revenue measure in a new bill to be introduced into parliament this month.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will unveil the move in a speech to the National Press Club today which is aimed at passing the measures which have been stalled in parliament for since before last July’s federal election.

Mr Turnbull will tell the Press Club that when Parliament resumes, the Government will introduce a new Bill that combines childcare reforms with the measures that will pay for them.

The PM will reveal the Coalition has been holding “constructive discussions with the Senate Cross bench” to provide “more affordable, flexible and available childcare.”

The Government had previously tied its child care to two separate bills which would phase out Family Tax Supplement A and B which lapsed when the last parliament was dissolved.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is addressing the National Press Club today. Picture: AAP

Mr Turnbull will also signal he intends to seek a new deal with the states to improve the outcomes.

Commonwealth school funding increased by nearly fifty per cent in real terms over the past decade but student outcomes actually declined, the PM will argue

In his address to the Press Club yesterday Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he would propose a Senate inquiry into whether there is a need for a Federal anti-corruption body along the lines of Victoria’s IBAC and NSW’s ICAC.

He said he was not advocating a Senate Inquiry into a National Integrity Commission because he believe corruption is widespread.

“The current integrity officers do the best they can — but we need a Senate Inquiry to look at the merits of a federal body dedicated to deterring, exposing — and eliminating — corruption,” he said.

Mr Shorten said he would be convening a National Skills Summit in order to get ideas on how to shape the future of skills training and education in Australia.