Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland says regional childcare is set to suffer even more following last week’s release of Allan Labor Government’s 2024/25 State Budget.
Seymour’s childcare centre looks set to be axed, with funding for Labor’s new kindergarten and childcare rollout now taking a backseat due to a lack of forward thinking from this Government.
“When it comes to childcare, we are seeing another backwards step by this Government,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Seymour’s childcare centre was one of 50 initially planned for the State, yet it seems that it will just end up being another broken promise.
“It was bad enough when Labor said it would take until 2028 for the new centre to open, and now it has been delayed indefinitely as Labor ‘slows down’ their childcare rollout.”
Ms Cleeland says regional Victoria has been suffering from significant issues relating to the accessibility and availability of childcare for a long time and that Labor’s inability to successfully deliver childcare facilities was only making this more difficult.
“Sadly, so many communities across our state, including several across the Euroa electorate, are set to remain without childcare despite desperately needing them,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Towns like Avenel, Seymour, Nagambie, Broadford, and more are all struggling with outrageous waitlists caused by a lack of childcare and early learning facilities.
“Not having facilities will have a massive impact on the town’s future – with families choosing to relocate most of their lives to bigger centres like Shepparton.
“Labor’s attempted roll-out of new childcare centres across the state have been a disaster, with our region set to have only gone backwards in this sector and the government single-handedly compounding the crisis.
“This Government time and time again has shown they can’t manage money, they can’t manage a project, and they can’t deliver accessible childcare for our regional communities.”
