Thursday, 2 May 2024

Ministers statements: parenting services

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:26): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is supporting new parents across Victoria to get the much-needed practical parenting support they need through our brand new early parenting centres. Last week I joined the fabulous member for Ripon in the other place for a first look at the newly completed Ballarat EPC. We said that we would deliver this EPC, and it is the fourth of the 12 new and upgraded EPCs that our government has delivered through our $148 million investment. We are delivering these facilities, just as we said we would. The team from Grampians Health are diligently working on the finishing touches to the new Ballarat EPC in preparation for welcoming the first families over the coming weeks.

It was a pleasure to witness the modern state-of-the-art facilities and discuss with the team the supports it will provide to local families in this growing community. The design of these facilities is a tribute to Vikki Doddamani, nurse unit manager, and her team, who provided input into the design of the centre, assisting families to feel as comfortable as possible when they access the facility for hands-on help from Vikki and her team.

The Ballarat EPC comprises two single-storey buildings with four day-stay facilities, 10 home-stay facilities, a kitchen and dining area and multipurpose and play rooms, along with outdoor play spaces and gardens. I was impressed by how incredibly homely and inviting the centre felt and how accessible it is, ensuring local families can access a welcoming environment as they work to achieve their parenting goals.

The first 1000 days of a child’s life is an incredibly impactful period. That is why we are opening these EPCs, helping families to give their kids the best start to life, supporting families so that their children can thrive. The Allan Labor government early parenting centres provide assistance to families of children aged zero to 4, supporting families with advice on feeding, settling and sleep and extra care for babies and toddlers who have additional needs. Only this government has committed to tripling the number of early parenting centres across Victoria, and we will deliver these magnificent facilities across Victoria, just as we said we would.