Martha HAYLETT (Ripon) (19:21): (480) My adjournment matter is for the attention of the Minister for Children in the other place. The action I seek is that the minister provide me with an update on the site selection for the brand new government-run early learning centres to be delivered in the Loddon shire and Creswick and Clunes areas in my electorate. I am beyond thrilled that we will deliver three brand new early learning centres across Ripon as part of our government’s rollout of 50 new government-run centres across the state.

Local families in the Loddon shire regularly ask me when we will confirm the site of the new early learning centre. Currently there are absolutely no childcare options in the whole of the Loddon shire. It is impacting so many locals, especially women who are unable to get back to work or families who are choosing to move away because of the lack of childcare options. There are similar issues in the Clunes community, where there are no childcare options currently either. Amelia from Clunes told me having an early learning centre locally would reduce travel times and fuel costs for her family and would create an opportunity to form more personal links with the community.

I cannot wait to deliver brand new early learning centres to support these families. I welcome an update from the minister on the site selection for these centres so that our kids can get the very best start in life no matter where they live.