One thing that irks me though is that when there are a shortage of places, people who are working, studying, etc sometimes can't get care because the places are filled by those who are using daycare as fulltime babysitting (ie. for a break).
this comes down to your own day care service and their prioritising system. Mum used to do FDC, and priority was always given to those who NEEDED care for work or study (or those needing respite because themselves or their child had a disability) - respite for SAHP's was lowest on the list of priorities

i, personally, dont have a problem with full time care for some stay at home parents - i have personally seen the difference it can make - for a mum that lost her first two children to DHS because she couldn't cope AT ALL, to that same woman having her next two children still with her for their whole lives due to having them in care when they were very full on - she could cope with overnight and periods of time in the morning and evening, but not all day. i also don't think that stay at home parents should be expected to do it all on their own all the time. they need some time out sometimes. balance is the key

wait for the budget though - it is likely it's all speculation at the moment!