North-Eastern Metropolitan Region
Matthew BACH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:43): (276) My constituency question is for the Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep. Will the minister step in to ensure that that Knox City Council does not cut sessional kindergarten services? Many in the house will be aware that Knox City Council recently released plans either to reduce the number of sites at which kindergarten is offered or to scrap sessional kindergarten altogether. I have spoken on a number of occasions, as have many members across the chamber, about how important kindergarten is but in particular about our really high regard for sessional kindergarten, which is local, delivered by fabulous teachers as well and has such a positive impact for young people. Interestingly, the council recently did a survey, and the second most popular council service identified in that survey was sessional kindergarten. We must move forward to seek to ensure that these vital services remain open for young people across that community.