Malcolm Turnbull has declared fixing the budget as a "fundamental moral challenge" above all other priorities in the new 45th parliament which began on Tuesday.
Surely the Turnbull government, having been returned with a mandate, is prepared to de-couple the measures from family payments cuts and get its reforms passed.
The Coalition's new plan would scrap the cap altogether for people earning under $187,000 but increase it to $10,000 for those earning more.
The incentive for all users is to work more hours and for centres to charge by the hour rather than for whole days when only part-day care is required.
The focus must be on using scarce taxpayer support to encourage lower income earners to work more hours to boost productivity.
That is what the Coalition's plan aims to do. To keep prices down, though, the system needs greater flexibility. Providing quality is maintained, more centres means lower prices too.
