Early Childhood Development

In reply to Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (26 September 2018). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education): I have been advised of the following:

As part of the 2018-19 state budget, the total savings for Program 1, Early Childhood Development over the four year period 2018-19 to 2021-22 is $11.2 million.

Program 1, Early Childhood Development is allocated pre-existing savings of $8.3 million over the same period.

As I stated in my response on the day, the approach to achieve these savings is a reduction in corporate and administrative positions and other costs, with direct services to preschool and children's centre students quarantined.