Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Human Services) (14:51): I particularly welcome this question from Senator Eggleston. The government itself also absolutely welcomes the Auditor-General's decision to go ahead with an examination of the Early Years Quality Fund, the EYQF, because another independent report that will really show the absolute disgrace that the EYQF was will be very beneficial for the Australian people. It was a $300 million fund to supplement the wages of long day care workers for two years. But what might not be immediately apparent to everybody is that the way Labor designed the EYQF was that only 15 per cent of childcare staff in Australia would be eligible—15 per cent. So, in Western Australia— Senator Sterle: When were you last there? Senator PAYNE: where there are 1,348 childcare centres across the entire state, only 26 long day care centres were in line to receive the EYQF. Senator Sterle interjecting— Senator Lines interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Just one minute, Senator Payne; you are entitled to be heard in silence. Senator Sterle, Senator Lines: if you wish to debate the issue, the time is after three o'clock. Senator PAYNE: Let me just say that again: there are 1,348 childcare centres in the entire state, and only 26 in line to receive EYQF funding. It has every hallmark of every Labor initiative—poorly planned; poorly executed. So, after we came to government, PricewaterhouseCoopers undertook an independent review of the EYQF. They found that it was never going to achieve its objectives. Quite simply, it was a tool for United Voice. Now, there is a surprise—a tool for the trade union movement! There were claims of inappropriate behaviour by United Voice, including things like staff in centres being told by union reps that unless they joined the union they would not get EYQF funding, and they would be letting down everyone else at their centre—that is the way they work in the childcare sector. The Auditor-General has extensive and appropriate powers. He can access documents and information which were not available to the PwC review, and I look forward to the tabling of that report in the spring session. (Time expired)