Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Western Victoria Region

Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (14:07): (1632) In my electorate in Geelong an early learning centre catering to children from six weeks to five years is in crisis. Shockingly, they have had to employ security contractors, not to protect against outsiders or even parents but to manage the behaviour of some of the children – behaviour including a four-year-old girl punching a staff member in the face. This is no nurturing environment, it is a war zone. Seriously, security contractors are policing early learning centres and kinders. This is not an isolated problem: I am told the primary school next door has been locked down multiple times. Primary school aged children are damaging cars and attacking people in the adjoining car park – really. What urgent measures will the minister implement to address this alarming breakdown in behaviour, support overwhelmed staff and ensure a safe learning environment for these young children and the broader school community?