Tuesday, 2 May 2023

Ministers statements: kindergarten funding

Daniel ANDREWS (Mulgrave – Premier) (14:06): I am delighted to rise today to encourage all parents of our littlest Victorians right across the state to enrol their three- and four-year-olds in free kinder. Free kinder – why would you do that? Well, it is not only about supporting families at a time when cost-of-living pressure is a really significant challenge, a really significant issue –

John Pesutto interjected.

Daniel ANDREWS: Leader of the Opposition, you have had your go. We are now talking about serious issues, and you have got nothing to say. You have got nothing to offer. You are in political kinder, buddy, and we will see whether you get to four-year-old.

The SPEAKER: Order! I would ask members to address their comments through the Chair.

Daniel ANDREWS: Instead of being distracted by party-political kinder over here, we will talk about free kinder for families across Victoria.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier has clearly ignored your ruling, outrageously, and I would ask you to bring him back to the question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier will come back to the question.

Daniel ANDREWS: Far from being outrageous, free kinder is outstanding. It is all about making sure that families are $2500 per child per year better off. It is about making sure that our smallest Victorians in those precious early years get the socialisation, the play-based learning and the developmental head start that will shape their life opportunities throughout their whole life. It is called Best Start, Best Life for a reason, because that is what it is delivering. Despite the commentary of some, we are getting on and delivering this – $2500 per child per year in the pockets of parents, the best place for it. This is a $9 billion reform, one that is nation leading and one that will mean we have an economy and a community with people that have got the skills necessary, the competence and the confidence to play their part when it comes time.

A member interjected.

Daniel ANDREWS: Well, we will not be cutting the kinder services and the childcare services that the Baillieu government cut when they were in office. We would be happy to talk about early childhood education, Best Start, Best Life and free kinder every day and twice on Sundays, Leader of the Opposition – more than happy.

Wayne Farnham interjected.

The SPEAKER: The member for Narracan is warned.