Tuesday, 16 June 2026

 Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:54): (2384) My question is also to the Minister for Children. Minister, one of my constituents recently received the government’s kinder kit, and quite frankly, they were disappointed. One parent even called it ‘Labor’s latest bribe’. Many families across Victoria – and I have seen this in my own area of the south-east – are struggling to make ends meet, especially with the cost-of-living crisis made worse by the Labor government’s irresponsible spending. While some parents are struggling to pay bills and feed their kids, the government is spending taxpayer money on a box full of games and pieces that are simply not suitable for every family or child. On this kinder kit, hundreds of dollars were spent, but parents did not get to choose what they wanted or needed for their kids. We know that each child is unique; every one has different interests and different ways of learning. Learning experiences must be personalised, yet this kinder kit is one size fits all, and without training the contents cannot be suitable. Minister, how much taxpayer money was spent on this scheme?