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A group of Coalition backbenchers are still hopeful of changes to the way the Government supports child care, despite Treasurer Peter Costello ruling out scrapping the 30 per cent child care rebate.
The group of government backbenchers put a submission to the Treasurer, urging an overhaul of a system which some have described as too complex and inflexible.
Peter Costello has already rejected their key demand, to scrap the 30 per cent child care rebate announced in last year's budget, and instead extend family tax benefits.
But backbencher Alan Cadman says that does not mean there will not be changes.
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Liberal backbencher Jackie Kelly has described the Government's approach to child care as a shambles.
Her colleague Brownyn Bishop agrees changes are needed.
"Most of all, needs to be far more flexible, very defined, you have to meet the system, rather than system there to meet the individual," she said.
Mr Cadman thinks the current system puts unnecessary pressure on families.
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Bronwyn Bishop wants the rebate extended to cover at-home care.
She says it is an issue brought to her attention while she has been chairing a parliamentary inquiry into work and family issues.
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The push from within the Government to change the child care rebate has encouraged groups like the Australian Council for Social Services.
President Lyn Hatfield Dodds says the child care rebate, as it is, is unfair.
The convenor of the national council of single mothers and their children, Dr Elspeth McKinnes, too is encouraging Government backbenchers to keep pushing for changes.
"We would certainly agree that things are broken in the child care arena and need urgent attention to fix them," she said.
- reprinted from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation