Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Responses

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (01:02): Ms Terpstra raised a matter for the Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop. Ms Lovell raised a matter for the Minister for Police. Ms Watt raised a matter for the Minister for Education. Mr McGowan raised a matter for the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. Mr McIntosh raised a matter for the Minister for Environment. Mr Limbrick raised a matter for the Minister for Police. Ms Ermacora raised a matter for the Minister for Industrial Relations. Mrs McArthur raised a matter for the Minister for Energy and Resources. Mr Galea raised a matter for the Minister for Consumer Affairs. Mr Puglielli raised a matter for the Minister for Community Sport. Mr Berger raised a matter for the Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop. Dr Mansfield raised a matter for the Minister for Health. Mrs Hermans raised a matter for the Minister for Education. Ms Copsey raised a matter for the Minister for Public and Active Transport. Ms Purcell raised a matter for the Minister for Community Sport. Mrs Broad raised a matter for the Minister for Health. Ms Bath raised a matter for the Minister for Environment. Dr Heath raised a matter for the Minister for Planning. Mr Davis raised a matter for the Minister for Planning.

Mr Luu raised a matter for me as Minister for Children in relation to kindergartens. I am happy to acquit that now and inform Mr Luu that there is indeed a kinder infrastructure and services plan agreed with Hobsons Bay City Council. These plans are about agreeing to supply and demand numbers across the municipality to make sure that there are adequate kinder places. There is also a Building Blocks partnership with Hobsons Bay City Council, and to support this commitment the state government has provided in-principle support to contribute up to approximately $9.95 million for early childhood infrastructure over the course of the three-year-old kindergarten reform through to 2029. The first part of this package will see the state government contribute up to approximately $7.95 million across four major kinder infrastructure projects, with more than 270 funded kindergarten places based on the 15 hours of kindergarten delivered for the 2024 and 2025 kindergarten years. These projects include both new and expanded early learning centres, including in Altona North, operational in 2024 with 106 places; Newport, 2024, another 75 places; Altona, 2024, another 58 places; and Seabrook, 2025, another 35 places. I am also pleased to advise Mr Luu that I am advised that there is a central enrolment system, also supported by Hobsons Bay City Council, which is allowing the council to successfully manage the allocation of places fairly across the municipality, and that if his constituents have further concerns that would be the place to direct them.

The PRESIDENT: The house stands adjourned.

House adjourned 1:05 am (Wednesday).