Thursday, 26 May 2022

Wedderburn child care

Ms STALEY (Ripon) (09:44): Last week I announced that an elected Liberal and Nationals Guy government will deliver a new childcare centre for Wedderburn as part of the redevelopment of Wedderburn College. The 2022 budget included nearly $12.9 million following calls from the school community and me for major works at Wedderburn College. An elected Liberal-Nationals government will ensure part of that budget allocation is used to create a much-wanted childcare centre co-located at Wedderburn College.

The community and I have campaigned for months for child care in Wedderburn. In February I presented a petition to Parliament with over 700 signatures calling for more childcare services for families in Loddon shire. The community has been crying out for more care options for children in Wedderburn, and the school redevelopment presents an important opportunity to deliver a new childcare centre, yet the Labor minister rejected the community’s call for one. The Deputy Premier refused to consider child care for Wedderburn, despite his government delivering a similar centre in Charlton. A lack of appropriate child care has a detrimental impact on a community, forcing parents to choose between caring for their children and returning to the workforce. Communities like Wedderburn need a government that listens and delivers the services the community needs. Only a Liberal-Nationals Guy government will deliver a new Wedderburn childcare centre.