Tuesday, 17 October 2023

Members statements

Glen Eira child care

Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (16:09): I speak in support of the parents and children affected by the preliminary decision of the City of Glen Eira to close their three childcare centres. 115 childcare places in Caulfield, Carnegie and Murrumbeena are set to close at the end of the year if this final decision that they seek to take in December is affirmed. I will note it was a decision taken behind closed doors a couple of weeks ago and an absolute shock to the parents and the children and particularly the staff of these facilities.

Around 35 permanent staff and 11 casual staff are potentially affected by this decision moving forward. We know the importance of high-quality early learning facilities and high-quality childcare facilities. That is why children are a priority of the Allan Labor government. We are deeply concerned about the decision of the City of Glen Eira – preliminary at this stage – to close these childcare centres. My colleague the member for Oakleigh and I have been in contact with local families, seeking to do what we can to support them in uncertain times ahead of the end of the year.

I will just make a point: the same week that that decision was made I was in the City of Bayside helping to open a new children’s centre, which goes to show we can have good, high-quality children’s services run by local government, and I hope Glen Eira reconsider their decision.