During the most recent sitting week of Parliament, The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, called on the Allan Labor Government to make a commitment to building all 50 of their promised childcare centres.
In 2023, Labor promised to build 50 childcare centres across the state before 2028, however after two years, just four have been built.
“This government’s inability to deliver these facilities in a timely manner has failed families across our state, particularly those in our regional areas where childcare is so hard to come by,” Ms Cleeland said.
“By 2024, Labor’s timelines had blown out to 2032, with communities now concerned if these childcare centres would be built at all.
“It’s been nearly a full year since that last announcement, so I have called for this commitment now in the hopes that we won’t see these timelines pushed back yet another four years.”
26 of the promised childcare centres remain without a timeline or site for construction, including one in Seymour.
“That is 26 towns and suburbs full of families that need help,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Parents are hoping to return to work, hoping to alleviate cost-of-living challenges, and hoping to give their children the best possible start in life, but these broken promises are making it extremely challenging.
“Seymour is just one of many local towns that have been consistently crying out for more childcare.
“Meanwhile, several other towns within the region were never even considered for one of these centres in the first place.
“The lack of childcare options is placing a significant barrier on young people who want to raise their family in regional Victoria, and it must be addressed.”
Ms Cleeland said that Labor continued to boast about their supposed progress in this sector, but in reality, were regularly failing to deliver improved outcomes for regional families.
“Each year we see this government mention kinder, childcare, and education so many times in press conferences, motions, bills and more,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Yet when it comes to action, we have seen very little, and our communities continue to suffer.”
