Tuesday, 12 August 2025

 Juliana ADDISON (Wendouree) (14:58): (1227) My question is for the Minister for Children and is about free kinder in my electorate of Wendouree. How many children and their families are benefiting from Victoria’s free kinder program across the Ballarat local government area? I remember the cost of kinder when our girls attended our local kinder. It was a financial balancing act at a time when we did not have much money in the kitty. Free kinder is a great support for families, and with savings of up to $2600 per child each year, it is a real help to the household budget. I am also proud that our government is opening more kinders across Victoria, including a new kinder being built in Sebastopol, which will open in 2026. I look forward to hearing how free kinder is helping families across my community.