Wednesday, 18 February 2026

 Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:34): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is supporting our youngest Victorians. Last week I was delighted to join the member for Albert Park Nina Taylor to distribute this year’s kinder kits at Ada Mary A’Beckett Children’s Centre in Port Melbourne. Every child starting a funded three-year-old kindergarten program in Victoria is eligible to receive a kinder kit, as well as children enrolled in Early Start Kindergarten and with access to early learning programs. Kinder kits are backpacks made from recycled materials filled with educational toys, books and activities, provided by the Allan Labor government. Products in the kit are designed to be shared and enjoyed as a family and to set children up for a lifetime of learning by encouraging them to engage in creative play-based activities. This year all products in the kit are either made, designed or printed in Victoria, written by a Victorian author or produced by a Victorian business. Each kit contains two books and 10 educational toys and games, including a beautiful Bugs in the Bush colouring book, a set of stackable crayons, Play-Doh, stamps and felt stickers. The kit also includes a guide for families with tips and ideas to help parents and carers support their child’s learning at home. The guide is translated into 31 languages, ensuring more families can get the most out of their child’s kit.

Since 2022 over 300,000 children have taken home a kinder kit, and this year alone more than 70,000 children will receive one. Of course kinder kits are just one of the many ways that the Allan Labor government is supporting children and their families as part of our Best Start, Best Life reforms. Under this government free kinder is available to every three- and four-year-old in Victoria, and as of this year families are saving almost $2700 per child per year. Since free kinder began we have put almost $1 billion back into Victorian families’ pockets. On this side of the house we believe that no family should have to choose between paying the bills and supporting their child’s early learning, because every child deserves the best start in life.