Childcare changes pass lower house

The government has rushed its overhaul of childcare subsidies through parliament's lower house.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull sits with Claudia Gelonese holding Eden Nicholls and Finn Bailey-Price. Source: AAP

The omnibus welfare and childcare subsidy bill have been split by the Federal Government, as it tries to pass the vital reforms before the May budget.

Six weeks after combining a $1.6 billion boost to childcare and $5.6 billion in welfare cuts in a single omnibus savings bill, the package has now been split to appease the Senate crossbench.

No Coalition MPs spoke on the changes as the government rushed the package through the parliament’s lower house, with the bill now up for debate in the Senate six months after it was introduced.

Three Labor MPs and independent Cathy McGowan spoke on the legislation before debate was gagged and successfully voted on before lunchtime on Wednesday.

Watch: Education Minister Simon Birmingham reveals more details of childcare reform