Tuesday, 31 October 2023

 Ella GEORGE (Lara) (14:41): (387) My question is for the Minister for Children. Can the minister please inform me how many families in my electorate of Lara have benefited from our government’s free kinder program? On this side of the house we understand that access to kindergarten significantly reduces rates of developmental vulnerability amongst children. In my community of Lara people are excited that free kinder is also helping with cost-of-living pressures. The cost of early childhood education and care is out of reach for many Australian families, and it is great to see that here in Victoria the Allan Labor government is addressing this affordability issue. We understand that the first five years of a child’s life are so critical for healthy development, and that is why we are investing in early childhood education. So again, my question to the minister is: how many families in the electorate of Lara have benefited from our government’s free kinder program?