Thursday, 13 November 2025

 Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (12:47): My constituency question is for the Minister for Children. Families in Melbourne’s north know that the early years are critical to a child’s development. Access to quality early learning gives children the best start in life and supports parents to balance both work and family responsibilities. I am proud to see the recent announcement of $4.7 million into the new integrated children’s centre at the Brunswick Early Years Hub on Albert Street, supporting the needs of growing families in Melbourne’s north. Once complete, this new facility will provide up to 124 kindergarten places for local children and conveniently brings together early learning and family services under the one roof. This project is part of a stronger partnership between the Allan Labor government and Merri-bek City Council through the Building Blocks program, which is already delivering modern facilities and expanding access to free kinder for families in Melbourne’s inner north. My question to the minister is: how many projects are currently being developed in partnership with the Merri-bek City Council under the Building Blocks program? And when is this new Brunswick Early Years Hub kindergarten expected to open for local families?