The Nationals are working on a specialist policy to address the ongoing childcare crisis in regional Victoria.
The first step to building this policy involved an analysis of the Euroa electorate, an area of the state suffering from a significant lack of available and accessible childcare.
This analysis is summarised in a report titled “Beyond Urban Borders” and investigates access to childcare in the Euroa region using data, community responses, and interviews with local providers.
Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland met with the Minister for Children during the most recent sitting of Parliament to discuss the future of childcare across the region and share the report.
“As things stand, too many regional communities are classified as ‘childcare deserts’ – meaning there are more than three children competing for each place at local childcare facilities,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Despite this, there has been a lack of action from the Allan Labor Government to resolve this issue.
“In recent months, Labor has abandoned their plans to build more childcare facilities leaving our communities in difficult positions. Towns like Seymour, which was named as the home to one of the 50 new childcare centres, is still without a timeline to be built.
“I was pleased to meet with the Minister for Children and share the impact that a lack of childcare is having on our local community.”
Ms Cleeland says the lack of available and accessible childcare across towns in the electorate was having a profound impact on local families, and the wider community.
“Not having enough available childcare has a massive impact on the future of our smaller towns with many families forced to relocate most of their lives to bigger centres for improved access,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Additionally, we already have extreme cost of living pressures, as well as a labour crisis – making more childcare options so important to ensure parents can return to work and alleviate these issues.”
To help develop their policy, The Nationals are looking to hear more stories from the local community – whether it be from educators, parents, family members, or service providers.
“Sharing your experiences with childcare in the region will be crucial to ensuring this policy recognises the ongoing challenges within the sector,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We’re proud that this policy is being influenced by local stories, and I thank families, educators, and childcare providers for their contributions.
“This is grassroots policy making at its best.”
Those looking to make contributions can do so by contacting Ms Cleeland at Annabelle.cleeland@parliament.vic.gov.au or by calling 03 5762 1600.