Barwon Health
Ella GEORGE (Lara) (17:20): (544) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health, and the action that I seek from the minister is to visit the new early parenting centre in North Geelong. New mums and dads will soon have better access to early parenting support at this purpose-built facility. The new centre will have residential units, day-stay places, a kitchen, a dining area, playrooms and outdoor play areas. We can all appreciate the challenges that new parents face, from feeding challenges to nights without sleep, and this facility is designed to help families with children up to four years of age develop their relationships and achieve their parenting goals and to provide parents and carers with the advice and care that they need. The facilities, exteriors, kitchen and dining area and residential family units have been carefully considered to create a safe and serene environment where families can feel at home. Construction began in 2022, and I am thrilled to report that the centre is almost complete. This investment is just one more example of how the Allan Labor government is prioritising the health of women and children, with investments like the new children’s emergency department at University Hospital Geelong and the new $500 million Barwon women’s and children’s hospital. I am very proud that this is being built in the Lara electorate to ensure services are accessible for those in the communities who need them most, and I am sure that the early parenting centre will be well used by Lara families and in fact by families right across the Geelong region. I look forward to hosting the minister for a tour of this wonderful new facility.