Simmonds Penny; Tuiono Teanau; O'Connor Greg; Tinetti JanPENNY SIMMONDS (National—Invercargill): Thank you Mr Chair. This Government has overseen incredible increases in the cost of early childhood education (ECE) fees. We set the highest fees in the OECD countries. This is having significant economic impact on women—and on businesses with regard to skill shortages. And we all know that women coming back late into the workforce impacts upon their confidence their KiwiSaver amounts and the salaries they come back into.I'd like the Minister of Education to let us know: of the 54 percent of the sector who have opted into the pay parity—and we know they are mainly larger centres—what modelling has been done on how much that pay parity has been subsidised by increases in fees? Also can the Minister given that all the consultation with the ECE sector that carried on in 2022 and the options that were worked up for pay parity funding from that consultation—will the Minister give an absolute and categorical ruling out of removing the 20 hours of free ECE for age three and over? Thank you.TEANAU TUIONO (Green): Thank you Mr Chair. I'll begin my contribution by first of all acknowledging all of our teachers who are on the front line supporting our children to be the best that they can be in our school situations. My question relates to the ongoing strikes that are happening. It's been with us for quite some time the issues and teachers have continued to highlight over this week—but also previous months as well—about the agreement and how it is still falling far below inflationary costs. So my question to the Minister of Education is: where is this at at this particular point? What is the block and what does she see as the strategy for moving forward to make sure that teachers feel supported to do the work that they need to do? I do want to acknowledge the Minister's vast experience as being a former school principal as well so I know that she gets it but I think this House needs some clarity as to where this is at and what the blockages are and what we can do as a House to support moving those blockages out of the way.CHAIRPERSON (Greg O'Connor): Minister in that it relates of course to the 2021-21 appropriations year.Hon JAN TINETTI (Minister of Education): Yes it does because collective bargaining was part of those appropriations as well so it does relate to that year. There's not a lot that I can say other than the fact that at this point in time there is an offer that is out with New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa for both their kindergarten and their primary teachers. They are looking to take that to ratification from their members so we will know more this week. Post Primary Teachers' Association are in the middle of facilitated bargaining with the Ministry of Education and that's about as much as what I can say. I will say though that I am surprised that industrial action is continuing at this point in time because we are in a process and as the member knows facilitated bargaining is part of our industrial processes in this country. We have to work through that process and that's really important. It is a process that I as Minister—and even before that time as a union advocate—take really really seriously. So I really look forward to some positive outcomes that will come out of that. I think that I'm waiting to see what will happen this week as far as the ratification of the other agreements are concerned. Oh sorry Mr Chair—CHAIRPERSON (Greg O'Connor): Carry on the honourable Minister.Hon JAN TINETTI: Sorry I did mean to address the questions there. I am waiting to see if there is modelling around the subsidy the fees. I will come back to the member on that. But I also would like to let the member know that there are absolutely no plans to take the 20 free hours away.