Thursday, 16 October 2025

 Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (09:35): I was delighted to recently host the Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn from the other place on a visit to two of our newest early learning projects in my electorate of Mill Park, at Wirrigirri Primary School in Wollert and The Lakes South Morang College. Both brand new kindergartens will open their doors in 2026, giving local families access to high-quality, modern early learning facilities right next to their local primary schools, saving families time in the morning. At Wirrigirri Primary School we toured the impressive new three-room kindergarten, a project supported through the Allan Labor government’s record investment in the Best Start, Best Life reforms. This co-located kinder will cater for up to 99 children at a time, making drop-offs simpler for busy families and supporting children to make a smoother transition into school life. Just down the road in South Morang construction is well underway on another three-room kindergarten at The Lakes South Morang College. When it opens in term 1 next year, it will provide up to 99 local children with the best possible start to their education, right alongside their future classmates. It was wonderful to hear from The Lakes principal Bill Panas, who told me that families cannot wait for their new kinder to open. The whole school community were very excited.

These are just two examples of how the Allan Labor government’s $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms are transforming early learning, delivering free kinder for Victorian families, building the infrastructure our growing suburbs need and giving every child the opportunity to thrive close to where they live.