Martha HAYLETT (Ripon) (17:12): (152)

My adjournment matter is for the attention of the Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep in the other place. The action I seek is that the minister provides me an update on the Andrews Labor government’s rollout of our 50 new government-run early learning centres across Victoria, including in the Loddon, Maryborough, Creswick and Clunes areas in my electorate. I am beyond thrilled that we will deliver brand new early learning centres across Ripon. Our commitment to these centres last year came as a welcome relief for so many families who struggle with lack of access to child care across our region.

I recently met with a group of mums in Wedderburn who have been campaigning for child care options in their area for the past two years as there is currently no child care in the whole of the Loddon shire. Many of them currently work through the night while their babies sleep so that they can keep their businesses running. Some rely on grandparents and even great-grandparents for help. Others have to take their kids to work because there are no other options.

I am with these mums all the way, and I am eager for the government-run early learning centres in the Loddon shire to be part of the next rollout of centres. I welcome an update from the minister on how our government is delivering early learning centres across our communities so that our kids can get the best start in life no matter where they live.